The 85th annual United Way campus campaign has been extended through the month of October. So far, over $66,000 has been raised — and your help is needed to meet the goal of raising $125,000 for children and families in Northwest Arkansas.

"How does a child who is hungry, or is not sure where they're going to sleep that night, or doesn't have access to books and after school care focus on their education?" asked Kim Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education and a board member for the United Way of NWA. 

According to the most recent figures, one in six children in Northwest Arkansas live below the poverty level. 

"I like that [the United Way] helps people of all ages, of all backgrounds, and I think it's a valuable resource for our community," said Elaine Terrell, curriculum designer for the Global Campus.

Ninety-eight percent of every donation stays right here in Northwest Arkansas, benefiting programs like the Boys & Girls Club, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

"DHS workers may come and go, foster care may come and go, you may change foster parents three, four, five times, but you're going to have one CASA," said Barri Tulgetske, intellectual property and compliance manager for the U of A Division of Agriculture. "That's that one constant that stays with that foster child during the entire process." 

Hear from more U of A faculty and staff about why they donate at unitedway.uark.edu, and make your impact today.