The 2012-13 United Way of Tompkins County campaign, which officially launched with the annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring Sept. 21, recently began its Cornell campaign with the distribution of more than 14,000 pledge cards across campus. This year's Cornell campaign goal is $815,000.

"We are looking forward to another successful year," said Cornell campaign chair Ron Seeber, senior vice provost and associate dean of the ILR School. "Every year Cornell accounts for about 40 percent of the United Way's total gifts. This has remained consistent even as the university has downsized and gone through some tough economic times. Cornellians' dedication to the United Way is most admirable."

This year's campaign will feature a number of special fundraising events. The sixth annual a cappella performance organized by student members of the university's United Way cabinet Sept. 15 generated approximately $10,000. A portion of the proceeds from the Nov. 3 women's hockey game against Quinnipiac at Lynah Rink will benefit the campaign. Raffle tickets will also be sold. A United Way table staffed by volunteers will be in place at Benefair on Nov. 14 in the Biotech Building. And the annual Duff Ball, a spring formal organized by students, will once again take place in May in Duffield Hall.

United Way of Tompkins County provides funding to more than 40 agencies in the county that provide food and housing services, medical and prescription drug assistance, individual and family counseling, employment and job skills training, clothing assistance and many other services.

"A lot of the need out there is easy to miss as we go through our daily lives," said Seeber. "But one only has to drive past one of the 10 food pantries in the county to witness the need firsthand. Last year, a single agency, Loaves and Fishes, served nearly 38,000 meals in addition to distributing emergency meal coupons."

United Way directs 100 percent of its gifts to the agencies it supports. Administrative costs are covered by a 32-member Corporate Cornerstone Partners Program that includes Cornell. Donors also are able to direct their gifts to a specific agency or agencies or to the United Way's Community Care Fund.

"I urge everyone to support the United Way," said Seeber. "The organization is incredibly important to the health and welfare of so many in our community. We all deal with tough times at one point or another. It's reassuring to know that resources like this exist to help us through."

For more information and to make a donation, visit the Cornell United Way website at http://www.unitedway.cornell.edu/.