Return those United Way pledge cards

There is still time to support friends and neighbors in the Rochester community by making a donation to the United Way. Although the University closed its 1997 United Way campaign on March 31, members of the University community can continue to make donations and return pledge cards to their volunteers.

"The Rochester area has just begun its month-long April campaign," says Lenora Colaruotolo, the University's United Way campaign coordinator. "At the University, we will take this time to tie up the loose ends of our campaign and continue to accept donations. It won't matter if your gift is a little late and by making even a small monetary gift, you will help to build and strengthen the Rochester community."

The United Way funds programs in five priority impact areas: Success by 6, Kids on Track, Strengthening Families, Helping Seniors, and Overcoming Disabilities. Donors can make a blanket gift to the United Way, which the agency would use to support all five impact areas. (Many of the areas include services provided by the University, such as the Mt. Hope Family Center.) Donors can also specify that a donation go to a specific impact area or a particular agency.

"Everyone should return a pledge card to their volunteer, to help us process all of the collection data appropriately, whether or not they have chosen to donate," says Colaruotolo. "All information remains confidential."

The Rochester area campaign's Day of Caring is scheduled for May 1. Anyone wishing to donate their time on that day to work with a service agency in the community, should contact the United Way of Rochester, 454-2770, extension 211.

The University has a hotline to answer questions anyone may have on the United Way and its programs, Colaruotolo says. That number is x3-4722.