Community Strong - Child by Child Campaign Begins Today

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 81st University of Arkansas United Way campaign has officially started. This year’s campaign – Community Strong – Child by Child—is focused on the 26,000 children who live in poverty in Northwest Arkansas.

The goal is to raise $160,000 for the 57 agencies and 67 programs that help local children, all of them supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas.

The U of A United Way website is live, with information about the campaign and a list of campus volunteers. Most important, it has a Donate Now button to provide a secure, personal link to the donation page of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas.

The donation page offers several ways to give, including payroll deduction, making a pledge, or asking the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to send a bill. No credit card information is asked for or required. 

Faculty and staff across campus will also begin receiving campaign cards through campus mail starting Oct. 1.

The cards have a dual purpose.

First, they can be used to make a donation directly, to indicate that a contribution was made online, to volunteer for United Way, or to indicate another way of contributing to the community.

Second, they are a way of tracking participation across campus.

“Every donation we receive – no matter how large or small – will bring us closer to our goal and directly benefit the children of Northwest Arkansas,” said campaign co-chair Marty Matlock. “At the same time, we realize that donating money is not the only way to make a contribution to the United Way, or to the community. We want to recognized everyone on campus who makes a contribution – participation is as important as the amount of money we raise. That’s why we are asking everyone to fill out and return their cards, so we can keep track of the participation.”

The cards will also be used in weekly drawings for $100 gift cards throughout the campaign.

The campus community is invited to a Campaign Kick-Off celebration at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct.1 in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge, featuring a United Way Agency Fair free food, Razorback Mascots, door prizes and opening remarks from interim Chancellor Dan Ferritor.