The Cornell United Way Campaign has soared past its goal of $627,000, hitting $668,556.69 in pledges as of Jan. 24.

"These are just superb numbers," said Charles Walcott, dean of the university faculty and Cornell's 2005 United Way campaign chair. "I would like to thank those who gave and continue to give -- and to remind everyone that this campaign is not over. We need to keep pushing as the participation rate is just about even with last year. That means there are a small number of exceptionally generous people on this campus."

Cornell participation rates edged toward 17 percent -- nearly even with last year's participation rate, yet still short of the 20 percent goal that 2005 campaign organizers hope to realize. The campaign officially closes March 31.

Cornell community members who have not yet participated are asked to consider pledging to the Urgent Rx Challenge Grant, a matching grant of $25,000 from the Brooks Family Foundation. So far, $19,560 has been pledged toward the program.

Urgent Rx will help low-income, uninsured Tompkins County residents obtain medicine prescribed (as part of their treatment plan) in the Cayuga Medical Center's emergency room and Convenient Care Center. The target population is uninsured individuals and families. Along with the Urgent Rx Program, patients will be encouraged and assisted in enrolling for the appropriate available insurance programs -- Family Health Plus, Child Heath Plus and Medicaid.

To date, United Way of Tompkins County has received donations totaling $1,780,715, which is 96 percent of its $1,850,000 goal.

Walcott expressed appreciation and thanks for the ongoing support of President Hunter R. Rawlings and for the hard work of the Cornell United Way Campaign cabinet, deputies in each division, and of course, the wide array of generous donors across campus. "Thank you so much for helping the citizens of this county to care for one another by expressing your caring through support for our county United Way," Walcott said. "But there are still two solid months left in this campaign, and the United Way agencies that serve our neighbors in need can use every penny we can raise between now and then."

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