This year's United Way campaign kicks off with the Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring, Sept. 16, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Stewart Park's large pavilion, with the official program at noon. This year's county campaign theme is "Live United" -- a call for members of the local community to come together for each other's well-being.

Day of Caring will cap a countywide drive to collect non-perishable food, school supplies, and household and personal care items to be distributed to local food pantries and community organizations throughout Tompkins County. Cornell donation boxes will be placed in buildings across campus next week, to be picked up Sept. 15-16.

The Tompkins County United Way campaign depends on the continuing success of the Cornell United Way campaign, which provides almost 40 percent of the county's United Way funding. Because all of the administrative and operating costs of the Tompkins County United Way are funded through corporate donations, including support from Cornell, 100 percent of donors' gifts go directly to support the 43 United Way-supported community programs and service organizations.

These programs and organizations provide employment for the disabled, transportation for the elderly, programs for troubled teenagers, substance abuse counseling, day care referrals, legal services, dispute resolution and mental health advocacy.

Contributors can designate that their donations support particular organizations or agencies or to another county's United Way when they pledge their campaign gift. They can also direct their gifts to United Way's targeted impact areas: Hunger and Food Security, the Urgent Rx Prescription Program, the Basic Needs Fund or student engagement efforts.

The Cornell campaign goal for this year is $790,000, up from $725,000 last year. Recognizing the need generated by the economic situation and responding in "caring community" fashion, members of the Cornell community gave more than $800,000 last year.

"With state budgetary cutbacks and a stalling economic recovery, the community needs are significant and support from United Way is critical," said Paul Streeter, assistant dean for finance and administration at the College of Veterinary Medicine and 2010-11 chair for the Cornell United Way campaign. "But the Cornell community has a great tradition of service, community outreach and giving, and I am confident we can respond to this need," he said.

For information, see http://unitedway.cornell.edu/. To pledge online or obtain a paper pledge card, see http://www.uwtc.org/index.php?pr=Give.