The 2005 Cornell University United Way campaign kickoff will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, at noon in the Duffield Hall atrium. The event marks the official start of the annual campaign with a new goal of $627,000. Pledge cards will be distributed beginning Friday, Oct. 7.

Cornell United Way cabinet members hope to see at least 20 percent or more participation in the campaign this year.

"Many people don't realize what an extraordinary difference even 50 cents or a dollar a week can make," said Charles Walcott, dean of the university faculty and chair of the 2005 Cornell campaign. "Just a pledge of 50 cents a week will buy lunch for 50 folks downtown or two trips to a pediatrician for children in need."

To get an idea of what even a modest donation can do, visit the newly updated Cornell United Way Web site, http://www.unitedway.sas.cornell.edu/.

Year-round, United Way supports programs that help individuals in the community and benefit the community at large. These are a few of the many programs that depend on United Way support:

• Food programs for the needy (American Red Cross and the Salvation Army of Tompkins County);
• Counseling services for battered women (the Advocacy Center);
• 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 the American Red Cross, Tompkins County Chapter);
• 24-hour Crisis Line (Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County).

United Way pledges can be paid through payroll deduction or with a check or credit card. For more information, visit the Tompkins County United Way Web site at http://www.uwtc.org or Cornell's United Way Web site, where you also can donate online.