Campus United Way Campaign a Success

The University of Mississippi’s campus United Way campaign has been extremely successful this school year, according to the campaign co-chair Dr. Lucile McCook.

Through several different fundraising events and donations the campus campaign was able to give $148,000 to the United Way, a 4% increase from last year.

Kathy Sukanek, executive director for the United Way, said UM’s donation came at a critical time this year. “A number of our current partner agencies are facing the very real possibility of reduced funding due to economic conditions,” Sukanek said. “Unfortunately when funding is tight, that is when the need for help is often the greatest.”

One particular way the university campaign met that need this year was through the Fair Share gift. A Fair Share gift is an opportunity for faculty and staff to donate through payroll deductions. It is the equivalent of one hour’s pay per month. Those who participated were entered into a community-wide raffle for a chance to receive a $100 gift certificate donated by Barnes and Nobles. Project Manager of the Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute Ken Sleeper was the winner of this year’s raffle.

“I take great pleasure in contributing to United Way because it is such a broad gift to the community,” Sleeper said. “I feel confident that when I give to United Way it is going to a good cause.”

The funding will be used in various ways but three areas of focus will be education, health, and income programs. McCook said that she appreciates the United Way’s efforts to assure that all funding is utilized in the most efficient way. “One of the reasons I’ve been co-chair of this campaign for so long and the thing I really like about the United Way is that when you give money through the United Way, you know that your money is going where there is an immediate need,” McCook said.

Sukanek greatly appreciates all that the UM faculty, staff and students do to support the United Way. “The University is a great partner to United Way and most, if not all, of our partner agencies. The UM students who volunteer enable our agencies to offer services and programs that greatly benefit the community,” Sukanek said. “Together we can make a difference; together we are creating opportunities for change in the lives of many in our community.”