Lindsay France/Cornell Marketing Group

Adam Shelepak '17 explains why it is important to students for faculty and staff to contribute to the United Way.

Back-to-back United Way events – the Tompkins County campaign kickoff Sept. 15 and the Cornell United Way Campaign kickoff Sept. 16 – stressed the importance of helping friends and neighbors in need through the organization.

Speaking to the crowd gathered for the Cornell United Way Campaign kickoff in Willard Straight Hall’s Memorial Room, Cornell senior Adam Shelepak ’17 urged the audience to join the efforts of Cornell’s “caring and engaged” students by increasing faculty and staff participation in the United Way. He said the Cornell Student United Way campaign has received top national recognition but won’t be satisfied with the status quo: “The students need your leadership, and the community needs your heart.”

This year’s United Way of Tompkins County Community Campaign goal is $2,037,800; the Cornell campaign goal is $750,000. The campaigns run through the spring semester.

Noting that most Cornell students will only be here a short amount of time, Shelepak challenged those who “have lived in our communities for decades but have never given to the United Way” to give. “For Cornell to succeed, Tompkins County needs to succeed, and that means everyone, from all demographics and circumstances,” he said.

Shelepak’s remarks were echoed by Cornell United Way Campaign co-Chair Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, who focused on the needs in the Ithaca area that United Way agencies try to meet.

Lindsay France/Cornell Marketing Group

Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education and chair of the Cornell United Way Campaign, center, and Kathy Zoner, chief of Cornell Police and co-chair, share their thoughts on why staff should give, while Susan Riley, from Community Relations, looks on.

“There is dire need in our community. There are homeless children in our community, hungry children in our community. … I am extremely motivated by the sense of purpose we all need to have to help those who are in need,” he said.

Campaign co-Chair Kathy Zoner, chief of Cornell Police, seconded Noel’s observations that people are “stretched for food, shelter, clothing,” and she asked the Cornell community to stretch its giving this year.

Local leaders also stressed the need for giving. UWTC President James Brown thanked Cornell for its support of the United Way, annually contributing about 40 percent of the county’s campaign goal, while Joe Mareane, Tompkins County administrator and chair of the 2016-17 Community Campaign, said, “Smart people know that there are needs in our community that are real, that are urgent … and that won’t be addressed without funds provided by the United Way.”

Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick ’09 pointed out that in spite of his growing up poor, he was given opportunities to succeed and attend Cornell, and the United Way gave him a way to give back. As a student, a young professional and now as mayor, his work with the United Way gave his life a purpose, he said.

The previous day, the county United Way campaign kicked off the 20th Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring at Stewart Park. Volunteers organized more than 8,000 pounds of food and personal care items donated to the UWTC for distribution to local food pantries and community organizations.

Jason Koski/Cornell Marketing Group

Aggie Binger, of University Communications, volunteers for the Day of Caring Sept. 15 at Stewart Park.

Cornell staff, faculty and students can designate their contributions to one or more UWTC member agencies or to United Way campaigns in other counties, or they can be unrestricted and will support education, financial security and health programs. Because the UWTC meets all its overhead costs through corporate partnerships, 100 percent of every gift to the Cornell United Way campaign goes to agencies.

Proceeds from the Homecoming 5K run in Newman Arboretum Sept. 24 at 8:30 a.m. and the 10th annual A Cappella United concert Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. in Bailey Hall will benefit the United Way.

For more information, see Cornell’s United Way webpages or those of the UWTC.