Real lives. Real stories. Real change. The Cornell United Way campaign is not simply a feel-good exercise, although it does feel good to know you are helping to make a difference.

Donations to the United Way help fund human service agencies and other member groups in Tompkins County whose task is to improve the quality of life for those in need, from infants to senior citizens. But who exactly gets helped?

The following three stories were submitted by Tompkins County United Way member groups -- you can find more of these inspirational snapshots on the Cornell United Way Web site, http://UnitedWay.sas.cornell.edu/stories.html. They offer a glimpse into the real impact Cornellians' generous support has in the community.

• Family & Children's Service of Ithaca: Provides individual, family and group counseling, community education programs, respite services and employee assistance programs:

"Martha's husband, Joe, was always her best friend, and when his memory began to fail, she knew she needed help. With support from the caregiver counselor at Family & Children's Service Home Care Program, she consulted doctors and learned that her husband had Alzheimer's disease. As Joe's confusion worsened over time, the counselor helped Martha learn about the disease and cope with his difficult behaviors, like wandering and constantly repeating questions, and she was also able to take some time for herself through Family & Children's United Way-funded Respite Program. One day Joe became violent. The counselor supported Martha in the difficult decision to place her husband in a nursing home, helped her adjust to living alone for the first time in her life, and to work through the guilt and grief she felt. Martha needed to learn a different way of caring and advocating for her husband. Today, Joe is well cared for and Martha has her own health problems to deal with. She still sees the counselor to help her balance her responsibilities for Joe and her need to take care of herself."

• Foodnet: Provides nutrition services to older adults throughout Tompkins County, serving community centers as well as homebound individuals through programs like Meals on Wheels. Other services include nutrition screening, assessment, education and counseling. These programs not only help to improve and sustain individual health, they also serve as a social vehicle. Through Foodnet, participants meet new friends and connect to other health and supportive services:

"Foodnet has been a 'life saver,' says Barbara, age 84. She had a bad fall and injured her left leg. The injury is very painful and requires her to wear an ankle brace and use a walker to get around while she recuperates. As a result, Barbara is unable to shop and prepare food for herself. 'All these years I've done for myself,' she says, 'but right now I need help and it's been wonderful to have these meals.'"

• The American Red Cross, Tompkins County Chapter: Provides education and relief services that enable people to cope with emergencies as well as teaching how to prevent them. Red Cross also helps provide emergency shelter for homeless individuals:

"A fire last October gutted the residence of a local family consisting of the father and two daughters, age 16 and 13. The father is a widower. American Red Cross Disaster Action Team members provided emergency assistance at the time of the fire. Assistance was provided for clothing, food and other small items. The family stayed with relatives in the area until they could find housing."