'Hogs United' Campaign for United Way Entering Home Stretch

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A little more than two weeks remain in the U of A’s “Hogs United” fundraising campaign for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. Faculty, staff and administrators on campus have raised almost $94,000 towards the campaign goal of $130,000.

Personalized email messages have gone out to roughly 5,600 university employees. Each message provides a secure, personal link to the United Way website. Donations can be made by cash, check, or payroll deductions. Anyone who prefers to pledge through a paper form can contact Debbie McLoud at dmcloud@uark.edu to request the form.

Co-chairs for this year’s campaign are Todd Shields, dean of the Graduate School and International Education and John Diamond, associate vice chancellor for university relations.

 “The annual campaign for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas is an essential part of our region’s social safety net,” said Diamond. “Whether the needs involve early childhood education or assistance to seniors, the United Way provides levels of support that these local agencies could not muster on their own. The U of A community has a long history of supporting its members and neighbors. Since 1992 the ‘Hogs United’ campaign has contributed over $2.3 million to our local United Way. Todd and I are hopeful that this year’s campaign will once again show our care and commitment.

“And remember, no donation is too small.”

 This is the 78^th year for a United Way campaign on the University of Arkansas campus, but only the second year for the eco-friendly, easy to use online-giving format. Besides providing a way to contribute, the link to the United Way website also offers information about the United Way of Northwest Arkansas and the 67 agencies and 100 programs it supports. All are aimed at making lives better in the areas of education, income and health. Donations can be made to the United Way or specifically to any of the individual agencies. Members of the campus community who live outside Northwest Arkansas also have the option of supporting their local United Way.