New Philadelphia, Ohio - Dover and New Philadelphia students are helping up the United Way of Tuscarawas County raise funds for the community with a new campaign called Rivals United.

Rivals United is designed to build awareness in the schools and community about the United Way of Tuscarawas County and the local programs is supports.  This is a friendly fundraiser competition to see which school can collect the most donations for the local United Way and receive bragging rights for the year.

Activities kick off on Saturday, February 2nd, at the Dover vs. New Philadelphia girls' basketball game. Rivals United will be represented with donation buckets available for the community to support their favorite school. 

Students from both schools will also hold various fundraising activities like spirit days and homeroom contests during the week leading up to the boys' rivalry game on Friday, February 8th.

Students from both schools will have a final fundraising opportunity with a "Dash for Cash" challenge between the first and second quarters of the boys' basketball game. Students will have three minutes to collect as much money as they can by passing donation buckets around to the fans in the stands. The totals will be calculated, and the winning school will be announced at halftime. The principal of the losing school will have to wear will wear the winning school's spirit shirt for the remainder of the game.

United Way of Tuscarawas County provides funding for 20 programs provided by 12 partner agencies. Money raised locally, stays locally. United Way mission focuses on 3 core areas: strengthening families and children, health and wellness, and emergency needs.