Nov. 6, 2003

Contact: James Owen, (785) 864-4914, or Kaelyn Fox, (785) 864-4073.

KU wins in United Way 'Challenge for Change' between KU, rival Mizzou

LAWRENCE -- In a "border war" competition to collect the most spare change for United Way's "Challenge for Change," students at the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri raised nearly $2,000 to support community programs.

The competition started in early October when the MU United Way campaign coordinator issued a challenge to KU students as a way for students to raise money and compete against their heated rivals.

MU students conducted their fund-raising drive at two campus locations Oct. 3, and KU students, organized by the KU Center for Community Outreach, responded by collecting change at three campus locations on Oct. 15. Many student groups participated with Student Senate, K.K. Amini Scholarship Hall and the Student Bar Association collecting the most money. Overall, KU students collected $1,057.03

"Above all our mission was to make students aware that no matter how small the contribution monetarily, every contribution to United Way combines to result in a big impact," said Kaelyn Fox, Pittsburg senior and KU student drive co-chair. "In the end, the Jayhawks won the Challenge for Change. A new rivalry is born and the United Way is the big winner! Special thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible."

"While it took a lot of hard work from a lot of different people," said James Owen, Springfield, Mo., law student and student drive co-chair at KU, "what it proves is that students really care about contributing to the community."

For more information on the United Way Challenge for Change, contact Owen, Graduate and Professional Association executive director, at (785) 864-4914 or gpa@ku.edu, or Fox, co-director for the KU Center for Community Outreach, at (785) 864-4073 or kaelyn@ku.edu.