CU United Way Campaign is close to goal

"We're almost there," said LeNorman J. Strong, chair of the 2001 Cornell United Way Campaign. "Thanks to a generous Cornell community, we hope to make our goal by year's end."

To date, campus supporters have donated $491,850 toward the annual campus United Way campaign. Those donations represent 94 percent of the annual Cornell goal of $525,000. "The members of the Cornell United Way cabinet and I are working hard to do all that we can to work with members of the Cornell Community to achieve this year's goal," Strong said.

Contributions to Cornell's campus campaign account for almost one-third of the $1.7 million countywide goal set by United Way of Tompkins County.

"Each year, one or more of the United Way's member agencies and/or community councils touch thousands of our friends and neighbors -- from infants to senior citizens. The needs of these organizations continue to grow as their service to our community increases. Given the recent change in our world, this year's effort takes on even greater significance."

Strong stresses that United Way pledges can be paid through payroll deduction, in a check or with a credit card. He pointed out that the United Way tax-deductible donations support more than 100 health and human service programs throughout Tompkins County. Below are just a few of the many programs that depend on United Way support year-round:

• food programs for the needy (county's American Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters);
• counseling services for battered women (Task Force for Battered Women);
• recreation programs for youth (Greater Ithaca Activities Center and Community Council programs);
• literacy programs for youth and adults (Literacy Volunteers);
• transportation services for the elderly and disabled (Gadabout);
• emergency disaster services (American Red Cross and Salvation Army);
• mental health referrals and advocacy (Mental Health Association);
• day care programs (Drop-In Children's Center and Day Care and Child Development Council);
• legal services for those below the poverty level (Neighborhood Legal Services);
• housing solutions for low-income and homeless populations (Better Housing of Tompkins County and county American Red Cross chapter);
• 24-hour Crisis Line (Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service); and
• help for people in resolving conflicts with landlords, merchants, families and others (Community Dispute Resolution Center).

Some of these programs and services could be in jeopardy if the annual campaign goal isn't reached, Strong said. "Community agencies are already developing alternative budgets in anticipation of the need to make program cuts. We know that some agencies already have determined that it may be necessary to eliminate entire programs if current economic forecasts become reality. The Cornell Campaign has the potential to make sure that this does not take place in Tompkins County."

Those who have not already turned in their pledge cards via campus mail can send them directly to Cornell's Audit Office in Toboggan Lodge, Strong said. If a pledge card has been misplaced, a new one can be obtained by contacting Karen Brown at 255-1202 or by downloading a new card at www.uwtc.org.

Campus campaign coordinators ask that all United Way pledge card be returned by Dec. 20, even from those who have decided not to make a contribution this year.