10:54 a.m., Nov. 12, 2009----With more than a week remaining in the fundraising drive, the University of Delaware's 2009 United Way employee campaign has exceeded its goal of raising $175,000 to help families and individuals in need. Donations from UD employees and retirees reached $180,326 by the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 11.

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The campaign, with a nationwide theme of “Live United,” began on campus Oct. 19 and continues until Nov. 20.

“We're so pleased that the University of Delaware community has once again demonstrated its generosity in helping our many friends and neighbors who benefit all year long from the services of United Way agencies,” said J.J. Davis, UD vice president for administration and co-chair of the 2009 campus campaign. “We thank everyone who has participated so far, and we hope donations and pledges will continue in the week to come.”

The campaign supports the United Way of Delaware, the state's largest fundraising organization, which assists more than 100 human-service agencies in improving the quality of life for their clients. The statewide United Way campaign has set a goal of $20.5 million this year to support such key initiatives as helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence and improving health.

Campaign co-chair Tom Apple, UD's provost, noted that United Way agencies provide a wide array of services, including preventive healthcare and preschool programs as well as intervention for families in crisis, that are especially important in the current economic climate.

“This is really important work that the United Way does, and we all benefit from it because it helps our community become stronger in these challenging times,” Apple said. “University employees have answered the call by already exceeding the goal we set this year, and we expect their generosity to raise our total donations even more before the end of the campaign.”

As the campaign continues, so do the Friday drawings that randomly select seven prizewinners each week from among those donors who choose to participate in the special raffles. The prizes include tickets for performances at the Bob Carpenter Center, weekend accommodations for two at the Virden Center, a summer 2010 Outdoor Pool membership, lunch for two with head football coach K.C. Keeler and many other incentives.

Visit the University's United Way Web site to see a list of the winners and their prizes.

The Web site also features updates on the campaign and a list of “United Way Champions,” employees in departments and offices across campus who have volunteered their time to bring the campaign's message to their colleagues and who can answer questions about the campaign and the process of making a gift.

Employees are asked to donate through an electronic form, if possible. Donations can be made through payroll deduction, credit card, electronic check or “bill me later” options. They can be a general gift to the United Way of Delaware's Community Impact Fund, targeted to a strategic focus area such as families and children or strong neighborhoods, or designated to one or more specific agencies.

E-mails, with a link to the electronic donation form, were previously sent to employees. To have your e-mail re-sent or to request a paper form, contact [mjones@udel.edu] or [kimd@udel.edu].

UD has a long history of support for the United Way. In the last 14 years, members of the University community have contributed more than $2.7 million through the campaign. In the 2008 campaign, some 766 employees and retirees pledged $185,120, surpassing the fundraising target for the year.

Article by Ann Manser