OXFORD, Miss. – Five days before voters cast their ballots for the next
\npresident of the United States, the University of Mississippi launches
\nits annual United Way campaign.<\/p>\n
This year, the university hopes to raise at least $125,000 of the
\nUnited Way’s communitywide goal of $425,000, supporting programs for 16
\nor more Lafayette County agencies in 2009. The goal was set by faculty
\nand staff members of the Ole Miss United Way Steering Committee, which
\nis responsible for the campus fundraising campaign.
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“The agencies supported by the United Way touch the lives of many university people,” said Lucile McCook, biology instructor and campus committee co-chair. “The community is counting on us to do our share.”<\/p>\n
Committee members encourage the university community to participate in Fair Share, Associate or Leadership giving plans. Fair Share givers contribute one hour’s wages each month to the United Way, Associate givers donate $250 to $499 and Leadership givers contribute at least $500.<\/p>\n
“Last year, Ole Miss was the top contributor to the United Way (communitywide) with donations totaling $115,200,” said Thelma Curry, University Police Department officer and campus committee co-chair. “I’d like to see that number grow.”<\/p>\n
More than 95 percent of the money raised for United Way stays in Lafayette County to help fund local charities, including the Pantry, Interfaith Compassion Ministry, American Red Cross, Crisis Services, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls Clubs, Leap Frog, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.<\/p>\n
UM employees will receive pledge cards, allowing them to pay gifts in full or in installments through payroll deduction. Other fundraising efforts include roadblocks, intradepartmental competitions and student organization-led events. The university’s drive on behalf of the United Way is slated for completion Dec. 8.<\/p>\n
For more information, contact McCook at 662-915-5488 or bymccook@olemiss.edu or Curry at 662-915-7869 or tcurry@olemiss.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"