United Way campaign under way

There still is time to help the United Way of Greater St. Louis assist those who need it most.

Washington University continues to accept donations to the annual United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign, which began Sept. 4. The University’s goal for this year’s drive is $555,000, and those who have not yet donated are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Pledge cards were mailed to faculty and staff members through campus mail in September. Faculty and staff members who would like a second or replacement pledge card should contact Lisa Caress at 935-6087 or caresslisa@wustl.edu. The University encourages employees to contribute using payroll deduction, but the United Way of Greater St. Louis also accepts donations via cash, check and credit card.

“The United Way member agencies provide a wide variety of support and services to those in need, such as babies only a few weeks old, those in crisis needing shelter or dealing with devastating illness, the elderly who depend upon volunteers to deliver the one hot meal they will have each day, and so much more,” said Ann B. Prenatt, vice chancellor for human resources. “Contributing to the University’s United Way campaign is an easy and efficient way to give back to the community and help assure the continuation of services that millions of people access.”

Last year’s drive raised more than $550,000, exceeding the stated goal of $540,000, and helped the 2006 United Way of Greater St. Louis’ campaign to achieve its goal of $66 million.

Ninety percent — one of the highest assistance rates in the country — of the contributions the United Way of Greater St. Louis receives goes to providing services for nearly 1 million people living in 16 Missouri and Illinois counties. That means at least 90 cents of every dollar donated is directly used to help fund nearly 200 health and human service agencies that provide job counseling and training, offer affordable child care, provide disaster relief, build safer communities and more.

For more information on the United Way of Greater St. Louis, visit stl.unitedway.org.