By Kyle Kern Staff writer
The United Way campaign is a center that helps to better communities by focusing on the aspects that need to be worked on in the area.
This campaign works to improve the quality of life in the community that it is focused on.
The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Campaign branch encompasses three counties: Northumberland, Snyder and Union County.
The branch also includes Susquehanna, which has a university team under the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Campaign.
This year, the six programs the campaign chose to focus on are public transportation, early childhood education, diversity awareness and inclusion, teenagers, behavioral health and addiction and financial stability.
The group has set a goal to raise $700,000 for this year.
The United Way’s cause is especially important to one particular employee of Susquehanna who has a history with the United Way campaign.
Elizabeth Grove, event coordinator and administrative assistant for the alumni parent and donor office, is a member of the Susquehanna University team included in the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way campaign.
Grove serves alongside Chris Markle, the senior development officer at Susquehanna, Barbara Dennen, the manager of financial services and Marsha Lemons, a special assistant to the board.
Grove had worked at United Way before landing her current job at Susquehanna.
Grove said that when she was offered to take part in the Susquehanna University United Way campaign, she was glad to be helping United Way again.
The Susquehanna team is gathering donations to help the Greater Susquehanna Valley campaign reach its goal for this year.
In order to achieve that, the Susquehanna team has established a fundraising goal of $22,500.
The planning for this cause began back in the beginning of October and the donation period began at the beginning of November.
As of Nov. 22, the team has raised $12,594, which is more than half of Susquehanna’s goal.
With a goal of $700,000, a variety of organizations are helping the Greater Susquehanna Valley campaign achieve that.
Members of the Bucknell community are also working to help raise money.
Joanne Troutman, a class of 2000 graduate of Susquehanna, is the director of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way campaign.
Through all of this, Grove said that there is usually a core group of around 40 staff and faculty members who donate to the campaign through one way or another.
Grove acknowledged that it is not always easy to give a donation, but it is always greatly appreciated.
She said: “Thanksgiving, it is all about giving rather than receiving. With everything going on in the world, we should give.”
Grove stressed that if you can donate to the United Way campaign it will help in the local community.
The donations to the campaign are tax deductible, and she added that it feels good to help somebody.
In addition to donating a monetary amount, donors have a chance to win prizes donated by various offices and departments across the Susquehanna campus.
One donor has already won Susquehanna athletic apparel donated by the athletic department.
Another name will be drawn toward the end of the fundraising and that person will receive a party worth up to $500 for their entire department.
Grove hopes that this encourages staff and faculty to be involved and donate to the Susquehanna University Campaign for United Way.
In order to donate, staff and faculty can donate with a payroll deduction or a credit card or check.
Promotional videos and a message from the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way campaign can be found on mySU under United Way Campus Campaign.
