Imagine having a professional job, yet being able to wear jeans to work just for a sticker.
Through the United Way campaign on Marshall's campus, all participating faculty and staff are able to do just that. Every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the campaign was Jeans Day, and anyone who made a donation for a sticker was granted permission to wear jeans for the day as long as the sticker was visible.
This activity, along with others including raffles, car washes and a pumpkin-decorating contest, was sponsored by the President's Blue Ribbon United Way Campaign Committee.
The committee is made up of faculty, staff and students, committee chair Bernice Bullock said.
"Annually we have approximately five students who serve on the United Way Campaign Committee," Matt James, Marshall student body president, said. "In the recent past, those students are usually the student body president and vice president as well as representatives from the Student Activities Programming Board and Greek Affairs. Students simply have to show up if they wish to get involved in our planning."
United Way encourages students to become involved in the various activities, not only because the proceeds go to a good cause, but also because it is a very rewarding experience.
"The greatest benefit of being involved with this campaign is that students are really given ownership of our ideas and we are given the same freedom to put our individual ideas into action," James said. "The internal benefits are countless in that you are serving our surrounding community and a cause greater than yourself."
Involvement is not limited to students, as faculty and staff are given the opportunity to donate as well.
These donations can be made through a payroll deduction by filling out a pledge card in association with the West Virginia State Employee Combined Campaign, Bullock said. The donator can designate where the money is distributed, giving the money to the United Way or to a partner agency of the organization, she said.
Bullock said the process is even easier for members renewing their pledges, as the form is simpler and the donator can choose to have the same amount taken out as in previous years.
The donations are tax deductible, the WVSECC information said.
All state agencies are participating in the WVSECC, which is sponsored by Gov. Joe Manchin, Bullock said.
Bullock said a goal of $50,000 had been set for the university. This figure includes proceeds from all activities sponsored on campus, as well as the money donated through pledge cards.
The campaign ran from Oct. 13 to Nov. 7, and takes place on campus every fall semester, Bullock said.
Several student organizations participated in the campaign, including SAPB, Greek Affairs, WMUL and an Honors 101 class, Bullock said.
"This campaign is a huge positive reflection of the unselfish character of the Marshall community," James said. "Not only do we place an emphasis on attaining an affordable and honorable academic degree, but we also encourage and provide outlets for students to give back to those in need."
Arianna Price can be contacted at price150@marshall.edu.
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