This year about 12,000 pounds -- nearly six-and-a-half tons -- of nonperishable food, personal care items, pet supplies and school supplies were donated for the 10th Annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring, Sept. 21 at Stewart Park. The donations were given to 17 food pantries and community organizations for distribution throughout Tompkins County.

The Day of Caring traditionally kicks off the year's United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) campaign. Community Campaign co-chairs Lynnette Scofield, from the William Henry Miller Inn, and Bruce Ryan, from Tompkins Cortland Community College, announced the 2012-13 UWTC goal of $2,155,000. Annually, Cornell University staff, faculty and students provide nearly 40 percent of the county's campaign goal with their gifts to the United Way. Cornell's goal for this year's campaign, chaired by Senior Vice Provost Ron Seeber, is $815,000.

At the event UWTC President James Brown thanked Alan Workman '13 and Christina Roberti '14, campaign co-chairs for the Cornell Student United Way Campaign, for having raised more than $9,000 through the A Cappella United Concert in Bailey Hall Sept. 15. Brown also noted that last year's student campaign, chaired by Jessica Zhao '12 and Alan Workman '13, was recognized by United Way Worldwide with the Live United in Income Award for its support of the UWTC's Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program. In 2010 the student campaign was named Campus Organization of the Year.

Cornell campaign gifts can be unrestricted or designated to go to a number of local health and human services and programs, including the Community Care Fund, which supports basic needs, child care/early learning, crisis services, financial stability/building self-sufficiency, health/environment, seniors and youth. Gifts can also be designated to United Way campaigns in other counties.

Thanks to UWTC's Corporate Cornerstone Partners Program, 100 percent of donors' gifts to the Community Care Fund, 42 member organizations, special initiatives, and other United Way campaigns go directly to support those services and programs. Cornell University is a Corporate Cornerstone partner.