Story by Keenan Hall
Staff writer
khall16@murraystate.edu
United Way of Murray-Calloway County has joined forces with Murray State to host the second annual whiteout football game.
United Way is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise awareness in the Calloway County community about various local social injustices. However, United Way does more than raise awareness, they recruit volunteers in the community to maximize relief efforts.
Jessica Rojas, the Economic Mobility Coordinator of United Way, helps oversee the community outreach programs similar to the Whiteout game. United Way reaches out to the community to advance proactive actions of local residents.
“We partner with organizations and nonprofits based in Calloway County,” Rojas said. We want to be able to mobilize our resources with their resources to more efficiently help them reach the goals they want to reach.”
United Way hosts whiteout games because of how convenient it is having local residents and Murray State students in the same environment. It’s also a great way to showcase all the good work nonprofits have done in the community.
“The goal of this game is to raise awareness with all that United Way is doing along with our 10 agencies,” Rojas said. At the game we will do a lot highlights on what their doing to serve the community.”
United Way switched things up from doing only whiteout games in the CFSB center during Murray State basketball games last year. Rojas noted that the new format has been just as effective and entertaining.
“We’ve been doing a whiteout game for several years but this year is our second year hosting during a football game,” Rojas said. Usually we would plan it during the Racers basketball season, but we had to back out this year because of scheduling.”
United Way is always open for volunteers and anyone who wants to give, advocate or help out.
“We will have lots of information available if anyone who wants to get involved, they can start serving and making an impact as soon as possible.”
The whiteout game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m. in Roy Stewart Stadium.