Enthusiastic Campus Response in First Week of U of A United Way Campaign

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The U of A United Way campaign got off to a bright start, with $39,883 donated by staff and faculty members in the first week. That amounts to 23 percent of the campaign goal of $170,000.

“This is a very exciting, very encouraging response and I just want to thank everyone who has participated,” said campaign co-chair Kim Needy. “We still have a long way to go before the end of the month, but this shows how much the campus community cares about the children in Northwest Arkansas who are living in poverty. Together we will Paint Their Future Bright.”

Amy Smith, gift card winner

Amy Smith, who works in the Graduate School and International Relations was the first winner of a $100 gift card in the first drawing from the donation cards turned in last week. A total of six gift cards will be given away during the campaign.

“It was great to see so many people turn in their donation cards – even when they donated online, or to our community in other ways,” said Jacque Linebarger, campaign coordinator. “There are many ways to contribute, but receiving the cards lets us know just how many people are participating – and of course it also makes them eligible to win a gift card, too. We hope our second week will be even bigger.”

The Paint Their Future Bright – Child by Child campaign is raising money for agencies and programs supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas that help the more than 27,000 children in the region who live in poverty.

A reason to give

“Many of the programs we are supporting are about providing education services for these children – something I think is near and dear to everyone on campus,” said Stacy Leeds, campaign co-chair. “Agencies like the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Helen Walton Children’s Enrichment Center and Head Start all provide programs that help children do better in school. We all know that getting a good education is an important part of the path out of poverty. Our contributions help build that path.”

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.