Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State faculty and staff next week will receive pledge cards inviting them to participate in the annual United Way campaign.
University chair Jimmy Abraham expressed hope Wednesday [Sept. 10] that the 2009 fund drive will be a record year for support. He is associate vice president for alumni and development and executive director of the MSU Alumni Association.
"I truly believe that every single person in our community at some time is touched by one of the 21 agencies serving our area," he said. "The MSU goal is $110,000, and we ask that each person do what is possible; even a small amount will help."
More than 90 campus volunteers are leading the annual pledge efforts, including members of the MSU Student Association.
This year's theme, "Live United!" exemplifies the land-grant institution's historical commitment to being an active citizen of the state, regional and local communities, said Interim President Vance H. Watson.
"We live and work in the communities served by United Way and we welcome this annual opportunity for the MSU family to consider how it can contribute," Watson added.
United Way of North Mississippi, now approaching its 30th year, serves Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston counties.
"Of the agencies under the United Way umbrella, 18 are located in Oktibbeha County," Abraham said. They range from the American Red Cross to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society.
"This is really all about family helping family," Abraham said.
For more on the campus drive, visit www.unitedway.msstate.edu/.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.