Editor,

The United Way of Riley County fundraising campaign is under way. K-State's role in this campaign is important. The money raised here on campus, from the faculty and staff, accounts for 17 percent of the overall total. Sixteen local agencies receive assistance through the United Way.

The K-State Child Development Center, which provides quality, affordable childcare to not only the members of the K-State family but the community as well, is a new agency to receive funding this year. Low-income community residents are able to secure quality childcare because of the United Way funding allocated to the center.

Our community is growing. With that growth, the need for the services provided by the United Way agencies will grow as well. Last year, agencies directly helped more than 25,000 Riley County residents. That number is sure to grow, so it is essential that we all come together and support the United Way.

The annual community-wide United Way Radio-thon event is Wednesday. The event will be broadcast from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Manhattan Broadcasting stations, KMAN 1350 AM, K-ROCK 101.5, B104.7 and Z93.3. Request a song in exchange for a United Way donation, or bid on "local celebrity" challenges and radio auction items, like a ride on a Harley at the K-State Harley Day ride (Nebraska game). Check out www.ksu.edu/unitedway for more details.

The K-State United Way fundraising effort is aimed at faculty and staff. Get your UW packet returned before Oct. 16 in order to qualify for the "Early Bird" drawing. If students want to be involved in United Way but dollars are scarce, we suggest you get involved by volunteering at one of the local agencies. They would love your help, and you will gain from the community service involvement.

Wildcats United.

Bill Wisdom and Loleta Sump

K-State United Way Committee co-chairs