Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
September 14, 2001

United Way drive is 4 weeks long

by Anne Krapfl
United Way leaders are seeking $223,000 in pledges from the Iowa State community this fall. The United Way campaign will run for just four weeks this year: Sept. 10 to Oct. 5.

"We think this is a way to focus our efforts," said Stanley Johnson, vice provost for extension and chair of the campus campaign. "We think we can do just as nice a job in this shorter time frame."

Interim vice president for external affairs Benjamin Allen is coordinating leadership gifts, and Johnson said about 35 faculty and staff are volunteering in their work areas to answer questions and collect pledge cards. Campaign envelopes were mailed to all employees last week.

The $223,000 is nearly a 2.5 percent increase over last fall's total gift from the ISU campus community, $218,293. The goal includes a $30,000 goal for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Johnson said that while the two groups' campaigns are integrated, each gathers its own pledges.

Johnson noted that United Way of Story County distributes funds to 33 partner agencies that serve more than 30,000 county residents. People may designate agencies to receive their donations; they also may designate agencies to be excluded.

"At some of these agencies, a very high percentage of the people they serve are Iowa State faculty, staff and students," he said. "We should have a big role in helping those who help members of our community.

"We're looking forward to a lot of good participation by our Iowa State colleagues," he added.

A recent ISU Homecoming tradition, a "blitz build" house construction project with Habitat for Humanity volunteers, will be held Oct. 15-19 in Story City.