The University of Guelph’s annual United Way campaign kicks off Sept. 22 with a noon-hour concert in Branion Plaza by local rockers The Kramdens and a barbecue sponsored by United Way volunteers.

The Kramdens concert is free; the kickoff barbecue will offer corn and a pop ($3), a hot dog and pop ($4), or all three ($5). All proceeds go to the United Way campaign, which supports 77 social service agencies in Guelph and Wellington County.

The Kramdens ─ a favourite at Guelph’s annual Hillside Festival ─ are long-time supporters of local charities and played for the United Way last fall in a downtown Guelph concert.

The band is known for writing and performing well-crafted songs and for involving audiences in their shows. Band members are Craig Norris (lead vocals, accordion, keyboards), Robert Leader (drums, percussion, vocals), Michael Findlay (guitar, lap steel, mandolin, vocals), Steve Knox (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals) and Will Kee (bass).

Listen to a preview of The Kramdens at www.thekramdens.com, and hear them live during the United Way kickoff.

To learn more about the University’s United Way campaign, visit www.uoguelph.ca/unitedway or contact one of the campus co-chairs: fourth-year commerce student Vanessa Young; Prof. Alan Sullivan, Plant Agriculture; and Jennifer Beehler, secretary to the chair of Clinical Studies.