Fairmont State University has raised a record $31,541 through the annual United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties campaign making it the largest campaign in Fairmont State’s 40-year campaign history.

The 2020 campaign in total raised $503,475 to help the local communities. The University was given the top honor of the event with the “Best of the Best” Award and is the second largest contributor to the local United Way.

“When Fairmont State comes together not only are we ‘Better Together,’ we soar to new heights,” said President Dr. Mirta Martin. “I am very grateful to Pat and Amy Snively and our Falcon Family who chose to invest in the future of our communities.”

Patrick Snively, Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach, and his wife, Amy, Academic Coach for the Accessibility Services Office, served as co-chairs for the campaign.

“We are so excited about meeting both and exceeding both of the goals. Fairmont State’s campus goal, we exceeded the $30,000 mark again this year and surpassed last year,” Pat said. “We’re really humbled by the generosity of our colleagues and community. We got to see firsthand how generous our community is and I think that made every second of this campaign worth it for us.” 

Amy mentioned the action of her colleagues at Fairmont State was incredible. 

“I was so excited to see how many of our colleagues participated in the campaign, whether it was volunteering or helping with the Hardway Haunt on campus and making donations to that event,” she said. “It was great to see them pitching in and helping us reach this goal.” 

Brett White, Executive Director of the United way, said the University built on the success from last year by incorporating new team members across campus to champion the cause. 

“Fairmont State had a second year of their student led fundraiser with the Maroon Madness shirts, held several events throughout their eight-week campaign and for the second time in a row, raised more than ever in their 40-year campaign history,” he said.  

All contributions for Fairmont State’s United Way campaign stay local, the money provides funding to support 29 programs at 26 local health and human service agencies in Marion and Taylor counties. These agencies, however, do not have the resources for large fundraising campaigns and rely on Fairmont State’s United Way campaign each year for additional funding.