Letter from the President
Dear Colleagues,
Cornell has a remarkable tradition of community service and outreach, and one component of that tradition that I'm particularly proud of is our individual participation in the United Way. I hope you'll join Robin and me in contributing again this year.
President David J. Skorton
The Tompkins County United Way is a major source of support for 43 community organizations that serve our neighbors—people in need throughout Ithaca and the surrounding area. These agencies provide employment for the disabled, transportation for the elderly, programs for troubled teenagers, substance abuse counseling, day care referrals, legal services, dispute resolution, mental health advocacy, and many other services. Directly or indirectly, we all benefit.
Generous contributions from you, members of the Cornell community, in the past have provided about one-third of the United Way's annual funding. Thank you for making so many good things happen in our broader community. This year, with dramatic increases in the cost of food and fuel, the need is greater than ever, and so I ask all of you to consider a gift to the United Way through Cornell's program.
Now that Cornell has joined the Corporate Cornerstone Program, which helps to support the administrative and operating costs of the United Way, every dollar donated directly funds community programs and services. A donation of a dollar or two per pay period can provide meals for hungry children and adults, assist those in crisis following a house fire, or support health care for the elderly.
Information about specific programs and how to donate is available at the Cornell United Way website, www.cornell.edu/unitedway. You can make your tax-deductible contribution online or by using the pledge cards that you will receive shortly in the mail. It's easy to do, and it makes a big difference.
I invite you to join Robin and me in making your donation to the United Way soon. Together we can carry on the Cornell tradition of reaching out to those in need by strengthening crucial human services throughout our community.
Best regards,
David J. Skorton