FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Faculty and staff began receiving University of Arkansas United Way campaign donation cards in their campus mail boxes Friday, Sept. 30, as the 82nd campaign got underway. The active campaign will run through Oct. 31.

The campaign theme is “Paint Their Future Bright – Child by Child” and its purpose is to provide support and hope for the more than 27,000 children in Northwest Arkansas who live in poverty.

“It is shocking to think that there are roughly the same number of children living in poverty in this region as there are students at the University of Arkansas this fall,” said Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education and co-chair of the campaign. “Our goal is to raise $170,000 for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to help these children. Our second goal is to get all our faculty and staff members to participate in this campaign.”

There are many ways to participate, all listed on the donation cards:

• Donate with the card, with cash, a check or payroll deduction
• Donate online at unitedway.uark.edu
• Ask to volunteer for the United Way, or with a partner agency
• Contribute to the community in another way

The U of A United Way website is also live, with information about the campaign, access to the campaign video and a list of all the campaign volunteers. The webpage has a donation button that provides a secure, private link to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, again offering a variety of ways to make a donation. Credit card donations are not accepted, however, and no credit card information is requested or required.

“Donating online is fast, efficient and secure,” said co-chair Stacy Leeds, dean of the School of Law. “But whatever way you choose to contribute to the community, please turn in your donation card so we can accurately track campus participation.”

There’s another incentive for turning in donation cards.

“When we receive your donation card you become eligible to win a $100 gift card,” said Jacque Linebarger, campaign coordinator. “We’ll have a drawing every week.”

The campaign kick-off was held Friday, Sept. 30 in the Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union. Chancellor Joe Steinmetz was the keynote speaker and an appearance by Razorback cheerleaders and mascots.