Penn State-Centre County United Way Campaign
Penn State has a strong history of supporting the Centre County United Way. The United Way has been identified as the "Charity of Choice" for University employees, which means that employees are encouraged to support the United Way through an employee fundraising campaign.
Penn State raised a record $850,733.35 dollars for the Centre County United Way during the 2007 campaign. That amount represented approximately 41% of all dollars raised in Centre County and this was an increase of over 7% of the 2007 goal. Penn State’s 2008 goal is $800,163.
The Penn State campaign is organized through a steering committee, which has representation from all work units on campus. The steering committee meets regularly to set policy and share the progress of campaigns within each unit. Each unit has a committee of volunteers who help plan and implement special event fundraisers, which supplement the payroll deduction program.
In addition to a strong fundraising effort, Penn State provides the Centre County United Way with a number of "loaned executives" each year, who help deliver the United Way message to work groups around the county. Also, Penn State donates untold numbers of in-kind services, which enhance United Way fundraising through a variety of means.
The chair of the 2008 Penn State campaign is Rob Pangborn, Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, assisted by Brenda Shaw, Administrative Assistant. Staffing the campaign for Penn State is Barb Meeker, Director of Campus and Community Affairs, and Linda Padisak, Program Assistant in the Office of University Relations. Questions regarding the Penn State United Way campaign may be directed to Linda at LMP4@psu.edu.