PJC United Way Giving Campaign

PJC flame logoUnited Way of Lamar County logo

PJC Gives: United Way 2026

What is raised here, stays here!

Last year, PJC was able to raise $15,000 for the United Way of Lamar County. This year, help us raise $20K for a great cause. PJC Giving Campaign started on Oct. 1 and will end on Oct. 30. 

Why give?

Every dollar PJC raises goes to United Way of Lamar County, which funds local nonprofits serving our neighbors, our students, and their families. These are the places people turn when the power bill is past due, the pantry is empty, or a fire takes everything.

Some of the partners your gift supports:

  • Downtown Food Pantry: feeds families across Lamar County twice a week
  • The King’s Daughters: emergency food, medicine, rides to medical appointments, and school supplies for kids in need
  • The Salvation Army: disaster relief, meals, rent and utility help, and holiday assistance
  • Imagination Library: a free book every month for children ages 0–5 in Lamar County
  • Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley: year-round programs, mentoring, and sports for local kids
  • CASA and the Lamar County Child Welfare Board: support for children in foster care
  • American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity: disaster relief and safe, affordable housing
  • Close to home: RSVP and the Lamar County Literacy Council are both based at PJC, and the Paris Wesley Center serves free meals to PJC students

See all United Way of Lamar County partners

Fair Share Giving

Give your Fair Share, get a day off!

Fair Share means giving one hour of your pay each month for a year. All PJC employees who give their "Fair Share" earn one free paid day off.

If you make…

Your Fair Share is…

For the year

$15/hour

$15/month

$180

$20/hour

$20/month

$240

$25/hour

$25/month

$300

$35/hour

$35/month

$420

How it works

  • How to give it: Monthly payroll deduction, or a one-time gift of the same yearly amount. Either way counts.
  • Your day off: It will show on your January pay stub, and you can use it any time from January through December. It doesn't roll over, so be sure to use it!
  • Bonus: Fair Share givers will be entered in every weekly drawing and the Grand Prize Drawing.

Not ready for Fair Share? Every gift counts, and every pledge gets you into the drawings.

Ready to Give?
Give early, win more!

We’re drawing for gift cards every Friday in October: Oct. 9, 16, 23, and 30. 

  • One entry for every pledge card. 
  • Your entries roll forward into every later drawing, so the earlier you give, the better your odds.
    • Pledge Fair Share by Oct. 9, and you will be entered in all four drawings, including the Grand Prize Drawing for Fair Share Givers only!
    • Pledge on Oct. 29 and you have one entry in the final drawing.

PJC's Fun United Way Giving Events

Mark your calendar!

Silent Auction & Hamburger Basket Sale: Thursday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every PJC department is putting together a themed basket, from coffee lover to game night to Dragon spirit. Bid on your favorites at our silent auction, and stick around for the live auction finish. Also, employees can indulge in a yummy $10 hamburger basket including chips, dessert, and a drink! Proceeds will go to PJC's donation to United Way of Lamar County. 

  • Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the PJC Student Center Ballroom
  • $10 a basket. Pay at the door by cash, check, or card!
  • Includes a delicious hamburger with all the fixings, chips, dessert, and a drink

If you or your department are interested in donating a basket, please send your name and info on your basket to Erika Moore by Oct. 20; baskets due Oct. 27. 

Fair Share Giver Grand Prize Drawing: Monday, Nov. 2

This year’s Grand Prize: Come Back for more info!

United Way Chili Cookoff: Friday, Nov. 13

United Way of Lamar County is bringing its Chili Cookoff to the PJC campus. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information, contact the United Way of Lamar County. Students, employee, and community members are welcome.

Key dates

Date

What’s happening

Thu., Oct. 1

Campaign kicks off

Fri., Oct. 9

Weekly Drawing #1

Fri., Oct. 16

Weekly Drawing #2 + Grand Prize revealed

Tue., Oct. 20

Basket themes due to Erika Moore

Fri., Oct. 23

Weekly Drawing #3

Tue., Oct. 27

Department baskets due

Thu, Oct. 29

Basket Auction and Hamburger Basket Sale

Fri., Oct. 30

Drawing #4 & Last day to pledge.

Mon., Nov. 2

The Grand Prize Drawing for Fair Share Givers only!

Week of Nov. 2

Final total announced

Fri., Nov. 13

Chili Cookoff on the PJC campus. This is a United Way of Lamar County event. Purchase tickets at the door. 

 

FAQs

What is United Way of Lamar County?

A local nonprofit that raises money and directs it to partner agencies serving Lamar County in four areas: youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security, and community resiliency.

Does my gift stay local?

Yes. Gifts to United Way of Lamar County fund local partner agencies. Their motto is “Raised Here, Stays Here.”

I work at the Greenville or Sulphur Springs campus. Can I give?

Absolutely. Every PJC employee is invited to be part of our campaign!

Is my gift tax-deductible?

United Way of Lamar County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 75-0886453). Check with your tax advisor about your own situation.

Do I have to give a lot to make a difference?

No. Our goal is 90 donors, and a small gift from a lot of people matters as much as a few big ones.

Questions? 

Email PJC's United Way Chairperson: Kenneth Webb or call 903-782-0433

United Way of Lamar County  |  2340 Lamar Ave., Paris, TX 75460  |  903-784-6642  |  lamarcountyuw.org