As of Dec. 10 the 2014-15 Cornell United Way Campaign has received $521,907, raising almost two-thirds of its $815,000 goal. Last year at this time, the campaign had totaled $566,720. The campaign runs through March.

Online auction to benefit United Way

An online auction, “SAS United,” has begun, with proceeds to support Cornell’s United Way Campaign. The auction is sponsored by the Division of Student and Academic Services.

Anyone can add services and items to be auctioned, up until Dec. 15, or bid on those already available. The auction closes Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.

To donate, contact Wendy Franzese, at wkf4@cornell.edu. To bid, go to http://auctions.weblite.ca/SAS2014Auction/.

Winning bidders will be notified by email and items need to be picked up in 311 Day Hall by Dec. 19, unless other arrangements are made. Payments need to be made at the time of pick-up, in cash or check, made out to UWTC.

“The goal was met last year but at the 12th hour; this year, our goal is to make sure we are able to do this in a timely fashion and to engage more Cornellians,” said Anne Kenney, the Carl A. Kroch University Librarian and Cornell United Way Campaign chair.

This year, campaign organizers aim to attract at least 20 percent of Cornell staff, faculty, students and retirees to participate in the campaign. As of last week, slightly more than 8 percent of Cornellians had contributed.

A new way to contribute is through Cornell United Way Holiday Gift Giving 2014, which is available through Dec. 19. This program allows a donor to make a contribution to any United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) member agency in the name of family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. When a gift of at least $25 is made in someone’s name, that person receives an electronic holiday card.

Donations can be designated to support the Community Care Fund, the Hunger and Food Security Programs or more than 40 local member agencies throughout the county and in neighboring counties.

“The quality of life that we experience here in beautiful upstate New York is directly tied to the quality of life of our whole community, and the United Way has had a demonstrable impact on our community for many years,” Kenney said.

Local businesses and corporations, including Cornell, support UWTC’s administrative and operating expenses, which means that every dollar given by individuals to the UWTC or designated to UWTC member agencies goes directly to support education, income and health programs.

Visit the Cornell United Way website, where you can donate online or download a pledge card. Completed pledge cards can be sent via campus mail to: Cornell United Way Campaign, c/o DFA, 341 Pine Tree Road, East Hill Plaza, Ithaca, NY 14850.