OXFORD, Miss. – Although the 2009 University of Mississippi United Way
\ncampaign officially ends Friday (Dec. 4), year-end donations are
\nwelcome.
\n
<\/p>\n
\nUM
\nfaculty, staff and students set a campus goal of $130,000 for United Way
\nof Lafayette-Oxford-University. A breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in
\nthe Ole Miss Student Union marks the campaign’s completion. Donations are
\n$5 per person, with all proceeds going to the campaign.\n<\/p>\n
\nA silent
\nauction will be conducted at the breakfast for two items, said Lucile
\nMcCook, co-chair of the United Way campus committee. The items are a
\nsigned copy of “The University of Mississippi: A Pictorial
\nHistory” by Gerald Walton and a handmade quilt by Jean Shaw.\n<\/p>\n
\nTo date,
\nabout $110,000 had been received. Last year, the UM community raised
\n$124,000.\n<\/p>\n
\n“We’re always trying to increase the number of Leadership Givers
\n($500 or more) at the university,” McCook said. “When the final
\nresults are in, we hope to be very near our goal.”\n<\/p>\n
\nMcCook
\nsaid that while faculty-staff payroll deductions constitute the majority
\nof the funds received in the campaign, proceeds from student-sponsored
\nevents have been significant this year.\n<\/p>\n
\n“Student groups did hot dog sales at several dormitories to raise
\nfunds for the United Way, and did roadblocks in days before the football
\ngame against LSU,” McCook said. “We hope that their effort will
\ncontinue year after year.”\n<\/p>\n
\nMore than
\n99 percent of the money raised remains in the area to help with community
\nneeds. \n<\/p>\n
\n“The
\nmoney raised here in Oxford stays here in Oxford,” said Kathy
\nSukanek, United Way’s local executive director. “The campaign helps
\nsupport several different local organizations.”\n<\/p>\n
\nUM
\nemployees can contribute to United Way by making a one-time donation or
\npledging through payroll deduction.\n<\/p>\n
\n“The
\nsuccess of the campaign depends on us,” said Thelma Curry, co-chair
\nof the campus committee. “The agencies supported by the United Way
\nare a big part of the stability and well-being of the local
\ncommunity.”\n<\/p>\n
\nOrganizations receiving funds from the campaign include Leap Frog, Family
\nCrisis Services, American Red Cross, Interfaith Compassion Ministry,
\nPantry, Salvation Army, Exchange Club Family Center, Literacy Council,
\nNorth Mississippi Kidney Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls
\nClub, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Health Services in Action,
\nVery Special Arts and Lafayette County 4-H.\n<\/p>\n