United Way touches all community members' lives, say volunteers

By Susan Lang

The Cornell United Way Campaign is not only driven by a cabinet of almost two dozen Cornell staff members, but by dozens more dedicated division liaisons and departmental volunteers who work with colleagues to ensure that everyone understands just what the United Way campaign represents.

Cornell United Way campaign volunteers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, from left: Sharon Detzer, division co-chair; Sharon VanDeMark; and Brenda Daniels speak to fellow CALS volunteers during a training meeting in Roberts Hall, Oct. 17. Robert Barker/University Photography

"Volunteers from all over campus continue the tradition of supporting the United Way by giving their time to clarify and provide information about the organization to their coworkers," said Carolyn Ainslie, vice president for planning and budget, Cornell's 2002 United Way campaign chair.

"We encourage these volunteers to report on the progress of the campaign and to provide information about United Way-supported agencies to their departments. But more importantly, these volunteers answer questions that people may have about the campaign and explain where the money goes," said Ann-Marie Adams, assistant director of government affairs and vice chair of this year's Cornell campaign, organizing volunteer training.

Stephanie LaLonde, an administrative assistant at Cornell Law School, for example, is this year's division liaison for the Law School. Her goal is to boost the school's participation up to 30 percent, a 12 percent increase over last year. "I personally have benefited from the services that several of their agencies provide, so I know firsthand how valuable they are," said LaLonde. "I think people should know that not one of us is untouched by the United Way."

Some of the ways that United Way has made a difference in LaLonde's life include: a day camp provided by the Village of Freeville, which receives funding by the United Way and is attended by her children; counseling services for her toddler provided by Family and Children's Services; and use of the Employee Assistance Program services, also provided by Family and Children's Services. The United Way also has touched others in her life who receive services from United Way member agencies, including a close friend who uses a wheelchair and relies on the Gadabout bus for transportation and another friend who has used the services of Cornerstone Recovery Services, a member agency. She has seen how the United Way touches a community through an ongoing food collection that her church does for the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard, which provides nonperishable food to needy families in the community and receives support from the United Way through the Dryden Community Council.

As of Nov. 12, the Cornell United Way Campaign has received $428,554 of its $560,000 goal.

"I have seen firsthand so many ways that United Way programs make a difference. If you're a parent, a child, a family member, a neighbor, a friend ... a member of a community, you will be touched, and it takes so little to make such a big difference," said LaLonde.

Steven Myer, a manager in the Division of Financial Affairs, has been a division liaison with the United Way for three years. He devotes his time, he said, because he believes in its power. "In these uncertain times when many of our government resources -- local, state and federal -- are strained to their limits, we need to take action to make sure the services are available for those who truly need our assistance. The United Way is not the only game in town, but it allows us to take our limited resources and put them to together to aid our friends and neighbors in crisis."

"I believe it is a great cause," said Suzanne Alexander, an administrative assistant in the College of Agriculture's Office of Academic Programs, who has been working on the campaign for her department for at least five years. "I have had an opportunity to use several of the United Way agencies, and you know what? You never know when you may need to take advantage of some of these agencies, and donating is showing your support for your local community."

Lorraine Smith, an administrative assistant in admissions and financial aid, said, "Each dollar donated is helping to make our community a better place. The importance is not stressed on how much you give, but that you gave."