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Bulldog Bash aims to boost United Way |
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Monday, 21 September 2009 |
By BRIAN HAWKINS
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The 10th annual Bulldog Bash is scheduled this Friday night in the Cotton District, and Mississippi State Student Association leaders are planning a special philanthropic push with this year’s event.
Major national act Third Eye Blind is headlining this year’s Bulldog Bash, with the band’s Bulldog Bash show being the first stop on a tour in support of its new album, “Ursa Major.”
During the performance, the band will pause, ask members of the crowd to pull out their cellular phones and send this text message — “NCMISS” — to UNITED (864833). This will add a $5 charge to a person’s cellular phone bill that will be donated directly to the United Way of North Central Mississippi, said SA President Blake Jeter.
With the thousands of people that attend Bulldog Bash — crowd estimates have reached as high as 30,000 people in recent years — the potential for the text message donations has huge potential for the local United Way campaign, Jeter said.
“We’re really working to publicize this on campus, particularly with the fraternities and sororities,” said Jeter in a recent interview. “If we could get between $20,000 and $25,000 donated to United Way, we would be so pumped.
“With this, we’re trying to make a statement that MSU students are not just about having fun, but also about giving back to our community,” Jeter said.
The text message donation capability for United Way will be available for a full year, so it could be incorporated into other events, Jeter said.
“With Bulldog Bash, we’re providing a venue to showcase it the first time, but it can be used for the next year,” Jeter said.
Additional information about Bulldog Bash and its philanthropic push is available online at http://www.msubulldogbash.org and by clicking on the “In the District” link and scrolling down to the “Philanthropy” link.
That particular page on the Bulldog Bash Web site also had a secure form by which donations can be made through the text message system.
The United Way of North Central Mississippi recently kicked off its 2009-2010 fund-raising campaign toward a $400,000 goal. The local United Way organization raises money to support the following agencies:
• American Red Cross, Oktibbeha County chapter.
• Area Agency on Aging/ Fellowship Foods/Homemaker Service.
• Boy Scouts of America.
• Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County.
• Brickfire Project.
• CONTACT Helpline.
• The Father’s Child Ministries.
• 4-H Clubs.
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Mississippi.
• Habitat for Humanity.
• Helping Hands Ministries of Oktibbeha County.
• North Mississippi Kidney Foundation.
• Oktibbeha County Humane Society.
• Prairie Opportunity Inc.
• Recovery House Inc.
• Salvation Army.
• Safe Haven/The Rape Crisis Center.
• Sally Kate Winters Children’s Home.
Multiple ways to give
Members of the public have multiple choices in deciding to give to the United Way campaign, including:
• Payroll deduction — If one’s employer has the capability of doing this option, the donor may elect to have a certain amount of money from each paycheck be donated to the United Way for a certain number of pay periods.
• Donation by cash or check — A donor may make a one-time cash or check donation.
• Credit card — A donor can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation via a specific credit card.
• Participation in special United Way events — In addition to Bulldog Bash, the upcoming Festival of Trees will allow the public an opportunity to make donations toward the United Way campaign.
“United Way exists to effect positive change in our community and to improve the lives of its citizens. Your support creates change and change creates opportunities. Please give to the 2010 United Way campaign,” said Nikki Rives, United Way campaign chair.
For more information about making contributions to United Way, call 323-3830 or stop by the offices at 1016G Louisville St.
Pledge forms are also available at the Starkville Daily News offices at 304 E. Lampkin St., which are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 September 2009 )
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