CU's United Way campaign cabinet leads fund-raising drive on campus

"This time of year, our local landscape is particularly beautiful. It also is a time of year when the true colors of the Cornell community come to light as we offer our generous support -- in terms of our volunteer time and financial support to the annual United Way campaign," said Carolyn Ainslie, vice president for planning and budget and Cornell's 2002 United Way campaign chair.

Ann-Marie Adams, assistant director of government affairs and a member of the Cornell United Way Cabinet, speaks with Brian Earle, part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) United Way division team during a kickoff training meeting, Oct. 17, in Roberts Hall. Robert Barker/University Photography

Ainslie reports that as of Tuesday, Oct. 29, $323,034 has been pledged from the Cornell community, which is 57.7 percent of this year's campus goal.

Although most people are not aware of the effort needed for a successful fund-raising campaign each year, a devoted group of volunteers on the Cornell United Way Cabinet have been working hard since the spring to ensure that each step of the campaign goes smoothly.

The campus campaign cabinet includes a cross section of Cornell employees. It consists of: Ann-Marie Adams, assistant director of government affairs; Patty Ard, executive staff assistant, Student and Academic Services; Karen Brown, office manager of the Campus Life Management Office; Chantal Champagne, acting director of stewardship in the Cornell development office; Philip Dankert, librarian, School of Industrial and Labor Relations; Michael Esposito, gifts and exchanges coordinator with Olin Library; Liz Forlenza, a finance specialist in the Administrative Service Center; Sara Gibbons, executive staff assistant to the vice president for planning and budget; John Gutenberger, director of community relations; Susan Lang, senior science writer, Cornell News Service; John McKeown, a project director in the Office of the Vice President for Planning and Budget; Leti McNeill, an administrative assistant for the Cornell Fund Reunion Campaigns; Philip McPheron, director of graduate and professional student housing with Campus Life; Mary George Opperman, vice president for human resources; Pat Podufalski, facilities coordinator for the Administrative Service Center; Cathy Salino, manager of accounting operations; Dennis Stein, employee outreach manager, Office of Human Resources; LeNorman Strong, assistant vice president for student and academic services; Laura Toy, director of college, unit and project development, Division of Alumni Affairs and Development; and Robin Yager, manager of the Administrative Service Center. Also serving on the campus campaign cabinet is Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings.

United Way is an organized effort to raise money to support more than 100 local programs through 42 member organizations that are designed to meet critical needs in the local community.

"The value and effectiveness of giving to United Way is achieved through the countless hours of time, experience and skills contributed by local volunteers. An unsurpassed network of caring and committed volunteers, such as this Cornell cabinet, support United Way and its member organizations, ensuring that donated resources become meaningful services for Tompkins County residents," said James Brown, executive director and chief professional officer of the United Way of Tompkins County.

For more information on the United Way or to obtain a pledge card, view this web site: www.uwtc.org/give.asp ; or contact Sara Gibbons at 255-0155.