FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The campus community is invited to celebrate the 82nd year of the University of Arkansas United Way campaign with a kick-off event at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge. Join Chancellor Joe Steinmetz for free snacks, a photo booth, door prizes and an appearance by Razorback cheerleaders and mascots.

This year’s campaign theme, "Paint Their Future Bright – Child by Child,” is focused on supporting the more than 27,000 children who live in poverty in Northwest Arkansas. The United Way raises money for many local agencies and programs that help these children and their families build better lives.

“It’s hard to believe that there are actually more children living in poverty in our region than there are students at the University of Arkansas,” said Kim Needy, campaign co-chair and dean of the Graduate School and International Education. “We hope we can help people on campus visualize helping these children – by painting a brighter future for them with each contribution we make.”

This year’s University of Arkansas United Way campaign goal is $170,000 – $10,000 more than last year’s goal. The campaign will run through the month of October, as it did last year.

“This is a very concentrated effort,” said Stacy Leeds, campaign co-chair and dean of the School of Law. “Last year we came very close to reaching our goal in a single month — with some late contributions we were able to surpass our campaign goal. With the unmet needs of the Northwest Arkansas community growing and with our growth in campus population, we think our goals should grow as well.”

U of A faculty and staff will begin receiving campaign donation cards starting Friday, Sept. 30.

The cards 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.

The cards provide a way to track participation across campus, and all are encouraged to turn in their cards, no matter how they contribute.

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

Faculty and staff can also make a contribution online by going to the U of A United Way website. The site features information about the campaign and a   Donate Now button, providing a secure, personal link to the donation page for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. Ways to contribute include payroll deduction, making a pledge or asking the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to send a bill. Donations can’t be made by credit card, and no credit card information is asked for or required on the site.

“It doesn’t matter how you contribute, or how much you contribute, the important thing is to help the United Way help our children,” said Jacque Linebarger, campaign coordinator and director of human resources administration. “The strength of the United Way is that if all of us do a little, we will accomplish a lot.”