The temperature's rising on United Way campaign thermometers posted on campus and downtown -- and that's a very healthy sign.

Cornell United Way campaign pledges to date total $509,012, with $21,540 in pledges made the week prior to Nov. 29. The Cornell drive is now at 81.2 percent of its $627,000 campaign goal. The participation rate to date also is up at 12.9 percent but still well short of the goal of 20 percent participation.

For the first time in about five years, United Way donation jars are being placed in Cornell facilities both on campus and off. Steven Myer, United Way division deputy coordinator, said the goal is to have up to 127 donation jars at Cornell sites from East Hill Plaza to the student dining halls by December. So far, about 56 jars have been placed. While the Cornell campaign usually winds down after its goal is reached -- often by January or February -- the donation jars will remain in place through the end of March 2006.

The residuals will be appreciated as higher fuel and food costs this winter could mean hardships for those Tompkins County families in need. More than 6,000 county residents -- about 9 percent -- are living below the poverty line, based on numbers provided by the county planning department. That includes 2,000 children -- about 11.5 percent. Poverty levels are determined by household income to expense ratios and even a household of two earning $24,980 is on the precipice of poverty, given the cost of living in the county. What the numbers mean, in short, is that many people in the immediate area are at risk in terms of affording basics like food and shelter. The need is real.

United Way raises money to support more than 100 local programs through 30 member and affiliated agencies and 11 community councils designed to meet critical needs in the local community.

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.