For more than 40 years, Penn State has designated Centre County United Way as the University’s charity of choice. Penn State runs a campus-wide campaign that includes special events such as Trash to Treasure, the Liberal Arts Office Olympics, Coins for Caring and many more. In each unit in the University, staff and faculty members volunteer to manage their efforts and spread the United Way story to their co-workers and friends. 

Penn Staters can also pledge their support for the 28 United Way partner agencies through payroll deduction. A donation of only $5 can provide school supplies for a child for a week — turning that into a monthly pledge makes the impact that much greater. In past years, these monthly pledges made up more than 70 percent of the total raised during the Penn State United Way Campaign. They are the backbone of the campaign because the United Way can count on this flow of support month after month. This example of generosity and compassion for others is a model for our students. In fact, Penn State boasts the first Student United Way in the nation, which benefits United Way partner agencies through service and fundraising efforts. 

What is so compelling about the Centre County United Way is its focus on the connections and interdependence among education, financial stability and health. The United Way brings agencies together to solve complex issues in our community. Together, these agencies help make our community a great place in which to live, work and raise families. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable and when we all enjoy an overall sense of health. However, that’s not all — the money we donate stays in Centre County, and is invested in proven programs that benefit the greater good.  

This year our goal is to raise $750,000, which represents 40 percent of the United Way’s 2019-20 fundraising goal. Our campaign is already off to a great start from special events and retiree contributions. In early November we will kick off the payroll deduction portion of our campaign, which allows donors to spread their gift across 12 months. We are honored, as representatives of Penn State, to carry on the tradition of supporting Centre County through the Penn State United Way Campaign. We are proud of the impact our faculty, staff and administration have made in our community through their volunteer time and financial contributions to the annual campaign. Thank you for supporting the work being done in Centre County to improve lives. We Are!

— Eric Barron, president of Penn State, and David J. Gray, senior vice president for Finance & Business/Treasurer and chair of the 2019 Penn State United Way Campaign