Cornell's United Way Campaign is making strides but still has a way to go: As of Dec. 8, members of the Cornell community have reached 83 percent ($598,349) of the university's $725,000 goal. In addition, organizers hope to increase the staff and faculty participation rate. To date, almost 12 percent of Cornell employees have contributed; the university's goal is 20 percent.

The decades-old partnership between Cornell and the United Way of Tompkins County supports dozens of local agencies that offer assistance to area residents. Given current economic conditions, times have never been tougher for these vital not-for-profit organizations, and the United Way is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to support the area's health and human services networks, say organizers.

"The good news is that every dollar contributed by generous donors will go directly to support local agencies," said David Harris, chair for the 2009-10 Cornell United Way Campaign. "Your donation, whatever the dollar amount, is needed as well as appreciated and will go directly to vital nonprofit agencies that need a hand."

A special event held in conjunction with this year's Cornell campaign for United Way is "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Cornell's Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts (SCPA). A portion of this show's proceeds will go to the United Way of Tompkins County. The event includes pre-show caroling by the Trumansburg Community and Newfield High School choruses and a toy drive. For ticket information, visit http://www.schwartztickets.com, the SCPA box office, or call 254-ARTS.

For more information about the Cornell United Way campaign and how to give, go to http://unitedway.cornell.edu.