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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University's campus United Way campaign reached close to 45 percent of its $200,000 goal during the first few weeks after its launch, gaining almost $89,000. Just 11 percent of employee pledge forms have been returned. This year's campaign organizers have targeted a 10-percent increase in employee participation over last year's campaign, which tallied 32 percent of employee forms returned. WMU retirees have returned almost 7 percent of their forms so far.

To be included in a special thank-you drawing for up to $30,000 applied to a car of choice from one of the sponsoring dealerships, pledge forms must be received at the WMU Office of the President, Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University, 1903 W ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5202, by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. The winner will be announced by the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Weekly prize drawings

Weekly prize drawings have begun on campus for gifts that include a Discovery Flight in one of the College of Aviation's state-of-the-art simulators, valued at $300; men's basketball tickets for the Dec. 2 game versus Oakland University; WMU spirit wear and gear; a football signed by head coach Tim Lester; and Millennium dining gift cards.

Lucky winners the first week of drawings included Thomas Swartz, industrial and entrepreneurial engineering and management, who received a Millennium gift card, and Ann Mathis, mechanical and aerospace engineering, who got a WMU swag bag. Also awarded were Bronco football tickets for the Nov. 1 game versus Central ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University.

Employees who give any amount will be eligible for the weekly prize drawings every Friday afternoon through Nov. 17. Names of eligible contributors whose pledge cards are returned to the president's office, Mail Stop 5202, by 5 p.m. the Thursday before each Friday drawing will be included.

Book drive

The campus campaign is in its final week to collect 1,000 new or gently used books by Tuesday, Oct. 31, for students in kindergarten through the third grade. The "Book-It" drive benefits a similar effort organized by the United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Collection bins are available in buildings throughout campus. Books for the campaign also may be purchased from an Amazon wish list at   and sent directly to United Way. Text BOOKDRIVE4KIDS to 41444 to pledge money for books.

Direct questions to campaign organizers at @email.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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