Jason Koski/University Photography

Donna Goss, chair of the Employee Assembly and former Cornell United Way cabinet member, reads "what matters" regarding local community needs written on each Lego block by attendees at the Oct. 11 United Way kickoff. Copyright © Cornell University

The 2006 Cornell United Way campaign kicked off Oct. 11 with the twin themes of local community needs and the university's long tradition of responding to support those needs.

Cornell President David Skorton briefly addressed the gathering, citing the increasing need of local human service agencies for United Way funding and explaining United Way's role in improving lives. Noting that the size of the contribution that Cornell community members can make varies, Skorton stressed that the participation of each individual is "critical," and even a small gift to the United Way has significance.

Cornell United Way campaign chair Sarah Thomas, Cornell's C.A. Kroch University Librarian, announced this year's campaign goals of $660,000 with 20 percent participation.

Cornell's target makes up more than one-third of this year's United Way of Tompkins County goal of $1.9 million. To emphasize the many ways that United Way dollars are used to help the local community, Cornell cabinet member Gary Stewart, assistant director of community relations, led attendees in a discussion of "what matters," which also included the construction of a building-block structure.

United Way pledge cards recently were mailed out, and the Cornell community already has contributed 10 percent of the university's dollar goal.