United Way kicks off annual campaign, continues through October
October 9, 2011
United Way’s annual campaign kicked off Oct. 1 at UK with the hopes of raising $450,000.
Every year, United Way partners with more than 80 local nonprofit agencies to improve lives across the Bluegrass through 250 programs and focused initiatives. The campaign will run through the month of October.
Last year, UK faculty and staff contributed more than $428,000 to the United Way of the Bluegrass.
Dan O’Hair, the dean of the College of Communications and Information Studies, is the co-chair of this year’s campaign.
“I got involved because I believe in what United Way does: improving health, education, economic development and basic services for those in need,” O’Hair said. “The campus campaign is important because UK is a large part of our local community and we should want to be supportive of our neighbors.”
United Way strives to help communities come together and address issues that affect everyone.
Donated money is invested in local programs that are proven to make communities stronger and safer, including after-school programs for children, job training for adults and other programs used to provide people with basic needs.
Heather Saxon, the director of Marketing and Communications for the College of Communications and Information Studies, is a cabinet member involved in the campaign, and represents the college.
The cabinet is composed of campaign coordinators for each of the different colleges or organizations involved.
“They have tons of wonderful programs that a lot of people don’t even know about,” Saxon said. “There are some students who wouldn’t be on our campus without these programs.”
Over the next three weeks, UK United Way cabinet members and department solicitors will be handing out pledge forms to UK faculty and staff. All employees who make a donation to the campaign will be eligible for a campus-wide prize drawing. They will draw prizes at random on Oct. 18 and Nov. 4.
Students can also get involved with the campaign.
There are countless volunteer opportunities throughout the month at the different events hosted by the campaign. More information on volunteer opportunities is available at uwbg.org.
“It is great to see the entire UK community come together to work towards a common goal and support a program that has such a large impact on the Bluegrass,” Saxon said.
