Cornell recently exceeded its 2009-10 United Way goal, with more than $750,453 -- and counting -- pledged or contributed by staff, faculty and students.

"Given ongoing economic uncertainty and the retirement of so many long-term staff last spring, it is impressive that the Cornell community has exceeded its monetary goal," said David Harris, deputy provost and director of Cornell's United Way campaign.

Pledges are still being accepted in hope that Cornell can better approach its participation goal of 20 percent; it is now at 14 percent. Two matching fund programs, the Urgent Rx Program and the Basic Needs Fund, will increase the impact of these new pledges. Cornell is also committed to helping the Tompkins County United Way Campaign reach its goal. At present the county campaign has raised $1,780,296, or 86 percent, of its $2,075,000 goal.

"We are very pleased that Cornell has already exceeded its goal," said James Brown, president of the Tompkins County United Way. "We always base our county goal on need, and this year we increased our goal in anticipation of an increased need for assistance in the community. Because of the economic downturn, our service agencies have seen an increase in requests for help with such basic needs as food, medical and mental health care services, personal care items, heating and housing assistance. Increasingly, these requests have come from people who have never before sought assistance. The fact that Cornell met its goal brings us that much closer to meeting our countywide goal as well, allowing us to respond to the rising needs in the community."

A strong component of Cornell's success to date has been its student campaign. "In my four years at Cornell, I have never seen more student activism to support local causes," said Jason Shapiro '10, co-chair of the Cornell United Way Student Campaign. "Students from all over campus, in organizations ranging from the varsity soccer team to the Interfraternity Council, are working harder than ever to raise money for the United Way as more and more students are recognizing the incredible and growing need within Tompkins County."

Shapiro said that the student campaign has raised more than $12,000 so far. This spring, the newly created student campaign board, made up of a diverse group of students to ensure continued student involvement in the United Way, plans to hold such fundraisers as a senior prom, a scrambles golf tournament and a charity dinner.

The Tompkins County United Way helps support more than 150 health and human resource programs offered by 43 community organizations. A donation of even $1 per pay period can make a significant difference, such as: five days of meals on wheels for one person, an hour of home health aide services, an in-home parenting session and baby supplies for new parents or lunches for 50 low-income people at the Friendship Center.

The matching-fund programs can double the effect of donations. The Urgent Rx program provides vouchers for prescriptions through the Convenient Care Center, Ithaca Free Clinic and Cayuga Medical Center's Emergency Department and in-patient release for people without insurance and financial resources. Just recently, the United Way received a commitment of $50,000 to match 100 percent of all corporate and individual donations designated by March 31 to the Basic Needs Fund (Hunger and Food Security Programs designation on the pledge card). Donations will support food, personal care items, shelter and utilities for individuals and families in need in Tompkins County.

United Way donors can allocate part or all of their donation to a matching fund or to a participating agency of their choice, or they can exclude certain agencies. Cornell employees also can target donations to United Way agencies outside of Tompkins County.

For more information and to make a pledge: http://www.unitedway.cornell.edu/.