UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2020-21 Penn State United Way Campaign, which is funded by the generosity of the Penn State University Park community, raised a total of $624,630 to support the Centre County United Way and help fund critical services in the interconnected areas of health, education and financial stability.
“This year, as our community contends with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Staters’ support for the Centre County United Way was especially important, perhaps more than ever before,” said Marie Hardin, dean of the Bellisario College of Communications and this year’s campaign chair.
“Each year, we come together as Penn Staters to ‘Live United,’ and this year was no different. The obstacles were taller, the need was greater, and our community answered the call,” Hardin said. “I am incredibly proud of the Penn State community. This has been a true demonstration of the ‘We Are Penn State’ spirit.”
The Centre County United Way has been Penn State’s charity of choice for more than 40 years as an extension of the University’s commitment to local impact as a land-grant institution. Each year, the Penn State United Way campaign effort contributes about 40% of the total funds raised by the Centre County United Way.
This year’s total of $624,630 exceeded the campaign’s goal of $600,000. Penn State Vice President for Outreach Tracey Huston, this year’s vice chair and chair for next year’s campaign, said this goal was slightly lower than previous years to adjust for the difficulties of the pandemic and the inability to host in-person events like Trash to Treasure — making the response from the community that much more impressive and appreciated, she said.
“I am so grateful for the generosity that our University community demonstrated during this challenging year to support the United Way and the partner agencies and people served,” Huston said. “This was an especially difficult year for so many people—every gift will have a significant impact in our region.”