FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – U of A's United Way campaign is entering its final week with anyone who is able encouraged to contribute.

The campaign wraps up on Saturday, Oct. 31. Donations are accepted through payroll deductions, recurring gifts or one-time credit card gifts.

The campaign, "Now More Than Ever," launched on Oct. 1 with a goal of collecting $100,000 to assist area children and families in need.

As of Friday, just more than $37,000 had been given.

All donations to the U of A's United Way campaign go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas, and 98 percent of that money goes directly to local programs, including children's centers, women's shelters, youth organizations, school districts, teen centers and more.

Payroll deductions are re-authorized each year and deductions begin in January 2021. Faculty and staff may donate to a specific agency through the United Way of NWA. Any donation of $100 or more to a 501(c)(3) organization, as defined by the IRS, and serving Northwest Arkansas, will be passed on directly to that organization.

Deans Margaret Sova McCabe of the School of Law and Deacue Fields of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences are co-leads for this year's campus campaign.

"Individuals and families in Northwest Arkansas and who are part of our campus have needs and this is a great opportunity for us to support our communities," Fields said. "2020 has been challenging for many of us and even more so for those individuals and families, and for the local programs and organizations supported by United Way. If you're able, please support our area by giving this week."

Go here to track progress of the campaign, to find a list of campus coordinators and more.

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 2.7 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.