Jason Koski/University Photography

Steve Perina, left, of Campus Life Publications and Marketing, helps sort goods at the Day of Caring.

About 75 local and Cornell community United Way volunteers helped sort 7,000 pounds of canned and packaged food, personal care items, and pet and school supplies at the 19th annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring and Community Campaign Kickoff at Stewart Park Sept. 16.

James Brown, president of the United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC), welcomed participants, and Kimberlee Swartz, UWTC board chair and associate director of Cornell’s Engineering Co-op and Career Services, remarked on the difference the United Way makes in people’s lives.

“We’re all in this together, and the quality of life … experienced by one person in this community really affects all of us,” Swartz said.

Brown thanked Cornell’s Alumni Affairs and Development for including UWTC in the Homecoming 5k run and the Big Red Fan Festival this weekend.

The UWTC Community Campaign goal for 2015-16 is $2,012,638.

Cornell will kick off its 2015-16 United Way Campaign Oct. 2, noon to 1 p.m. at the Memorial Room in Willard Straight Hall. Cornell community members customarily contribute about 40 percent of the UWTC funding each year; donations go directly to local agencies helping people in need.