United Way Campaign Begins Sept. 29

by Linda Charles


The annual campus United Way campaign kicks off Friday, Sept. 
29. The fund-raising goal is $168,000, a $2,000 increase over 
the amount raised in last year's campaign.

Last year, Iowa State raised the most money it ever has 
during the campaign. ISU ranks third among Big Eight colleges 
in donations to the campaign, said Rich Lampkin, executive 
director of the United Way in Story County.

This year's campaign will focus on increasing participation 
in the campaign. About 1,500 of ISU's 6,000 employees donate 
to the campaign, Lampkin said.

"Iowa State is fortunate to rank among the top 10 percent in 
the nation's colleges and universities in the amount donated 
by those faculty and staff choosing to support United Way," 
said Barbara Mack, professor of journalism and mass 
communication and the university campaign chair. "However, 
Iowa State is in the bottom 20 percent of the nation's 
colleges and universities in the percentage of faculty and 
staff who contribute."

An additional 500 ISU employees giving just $1 per pay period 
would have a "significant impact" on the campaign, Lampkin 
added.

Expected cuts in state and federal funding are likely to mean 
that agencies will rely even more on United Way in the 
future, he said.

Eighty-two cents of each dollar raised goes directly to 
programs, a very high percentage, Lampkin said. United Way of 
Story County funds help support 31 human service agencies, 
including individual, family and crisis services; child care 
services; elderly services; youth development services; 
community outreach services; and health and rehabilitation 
services.

All ISU employees should receive pledge cards and envelopes 
soon. Employees are asked to fill out the cards, seal them in 
the envelopes provided and return the envelopes to their area 
leaders. All donations are confidential; no one at the 
university knows how much anyone gives.

Donors have several pledge options, including payroll 
deduction. They also may choose to support or exclude 
particular agencies. The campaign runs through November.

"We need the support of all of our faculty and staff to help 
make the United Way successful," Mack said.

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contact:  Linda Charles, Internal Communications, (515) 294-
3129
updated:  9-29-95