FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The U of A United Way closed its campaign with a total of $89,358 in donations. That total is expected to rise – and perhaps break the $90,000 mark – after the Facilities Management Chili Cook-off competition and fund raiser on Friday, Nov. 16.

“Everyone who worked on this campaign is grateful to all the faculty and staff who participated this year – nearly 1,400 united,” said Chris McCoy, the campaign chairman. “I particularly want to thank the staff at Facilities Management, who once again led the way in donations to this campaign: $13,422. And I have no doubt that next week’s Chili Cook-off will substantially add to that total. It’s obvious that when the folks at Facilities say ‘We’re United’ they mean it from their hearts.

“I would also like to thank the faculty and staff at Fulbright College – who donated $9,116 – and the Walton College faculty and staff, who added another $8,465. The campus volunteers at those two colleges did a tremendous amount of work, and their colleagues responded with great generosity.”

In addition, contributions from the staff in Athletics, faculty and staff in the College of Engineering, and faculty and staff in the Graduate School and International Education each totaled more than $6,000 to the campaign.

The funds raised will go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to support local agencies and programs that help local children living in poverty, and their families.

The U of A United Way campaign officially ended Oct. 31, but its website is still live, and online donations will be accepted until Dec. 31.