31-01-2025
Fairmont State University raises thousands of dollars for Tygart Valley United Way
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — The Tygart Valley United Way held a celebration lunch inside Fairmont State University's (FSU) Falcon Center on Thursday afternoon to celebrate the more than $30,000 raised this year for Fairmont State's 'United for Impact' workplace campaign.
'We're excited to be here at Fairmont State today, celebrating another successful campaign,' Tygart Valley United Way CEO Brett White said. 'When the community is in need, Fairmont State is always there. So we're thrilled to be here to celebrate with them today.'
White told 12 News that Fairmont State's campaign is the second-largest workplace campaign in the Tygart Valley and that it's part of the Tygart Valley United Way's overall community campaign, which has a goal of raising $600,000 for the Tygart Valley region this year.
'Every single dollar goes right back to work of helping support 42 different programs and 30 health and human service agencies,' he added.
According to White, the Tygart Valley United Way has reached about 75% of its campaign goal and is working hard to bring in the remaining dollars by the end of February. However, he said that this large donation from Fairmont State University will be a big help.
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'Every little bit counts, and every little bit goes every direction and helps every agency here within the Tygart Valley region,' FSU Senior Director of Career Services and Community Engagement Susan Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez stated that FSU was able to raise more than $30,000 throughout the year through different initiatives such as a chili cookoff and jeans day. 'Just all these things that contribute—that go to the actual campaign goal here that we've set here at Fairmont State University,' she added.
The money raised will be allocated to Tygart Valley United Way directly, which will distribute the funds among its different programs and health/human service agencies at its discretion. However, Rodriguez added that people who make campaign pledges are able to designate specific agencies to receive the funds such as the Disability Action Center and soup kitchen.
This celebration luncheon is held annually between Tygart Valley United Way and Fairmont State University as a way to recognize FSU staff and faculty that contribute to this workplace campaign—including the team captains. 'Our team captains are very important that they kind of spearhead the group, and get them motivated and get them going to contribute to the United Way campaign,' Rodriguez added.
Rodriguez said that she's grateful to everybody who contributed to this effort, adding that the United Way is very important to the local community and the agencies it serves. 'It's very rewarding,' she added. 'They can't survive if they don't have our help, […] it's a very key role that we play a little small part of.'
FSU works with Tygart Valley United Way annually on their Day of Action and also collaborates on volunteer initiatives and different projects throughout the year.
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