FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 84th University of Arkansas United Way campaign is officially underway, running from Monday, Oct. 1 to Wednesday, Oct. 31.

This year’s campaign with the theme “We’re United”,  has a goal of raising $125,000 to support the United Way of Northwest Arkansas and the 35 local programs it funds to help children living in poverty in our community.

Just as important is the goal to get 100 percent participation from U of A faculty and staff.

Donating money is only one way to participate. Anyone who volunteers in our community, works with a United Way agency, helps with the campus campaign, takes part in a fund raiser – these are just some of the ways to participate in the U of A United Way campaign. Just let us know, so we can count you in.

Starting Monday donation cards are being distributed to each faculty and staff member on campus. The cards can be used to make a donation or indicate how you are participating. Please return your card to your campus coordinator. If you’re not sure who that is, you can find a full list on our website.

The website is live and you can use it to find out more about the United Way. It’s also a quick and easy way to let us know you are participating, or to make a safe, secure online donation.

Speaking of donating, one of the easiest ways is through payroll deduction, and you can do that either with your donation card or online. If you’ve contributed this way before – we, thank you – but a quick reminder – you’ll need to re-authorize your deduction for this new campaign.

“One of the best things about giving to the United Way is that it is simple, efficient – and you know where your donation is going,” said Chris McCoy, campaign chairman. “98 cents of every dollar you donated goes to the agencies supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. And all of those agencies are thoroughly vetted – you can be sure they are all doing their job, helping provide thousands of local children and their families a pathway out of poverty.”

It is also possible to donate to a specific agency of your choice through the United Way. Any donation of $100 or more to a 501c3 organization, as defined by the IRS, and serving Northwest Arkansas, will be passed on directly to that organization.

“However we donate, however we participate, when We’re United we can make a difference,” said McCoy. “We can improve people’s lives.”