University Times

The deadline for contributing to Pitt's 1995 United Way campaign has been extended to Feb. 8. The campaign had been scheduled to end this week, but is being extended in hopes of surpassing last year's total of $429,000.

As of Jan. 26, the campaign has collected just over $401,000. The goal for the 1995 campaign had been $450,000, a figure that now appears to be out of reach.

Even though it seems unlikely that the campaign will reach its goal, organizers are still pleased that this year's total has passed the $400,000 mark, according to Michelle Garraux, communications coordinator for the campaign and director of University Graphics and Printing.

"That's very good. That's a milestone," Garraux said. "We're hoping for a little push at the end that will put us over last year, but we're not sure it is going to happen. But we are very, very happy with the campaign and with the fact that we did again, for the second year in a row, pass $400,000, which is a lot of money." Pledge cards should be sent to: United Way Campaign, 500 Craig Hall.

Further information is available by calling either Phil Welling at 624-5855 or Dolores Vojta at 624-5812.

Approximately 130 prizes have been awarded so far to Pitt faculty, staff, retirees and students who have sent in their pledge cards. They include T-shirts, personalized note cards, tickets to athletic events, free parking and lunches.

A final drawing of 10 prizes will be conducted on Feb. 9. Everyone who has returned a pledge card and not yet won a prize will be eligible for that drawing.

The 1995 campaign is the first in years to include students, according to Garraux. During Greek Week activities, students raised over $2,200 in contributions to the United Way. Contributions from Pitt retirees doubled this year to more than $6,000.

Garraux pointed out that members of the University community who would still like to take part in the campaign can earmark their contribution for specific causes in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene and Washington counties, and the Monongahela Valley.

"A lot of times people like to feel their money is staying home," she said.

Contribution categories and their codes include: Child abuse/domestic and community violence, 9010; child care/youth services/family support, 9011; drug and alcohol abuse/treatment and prevention, 9004; elder care/frail elderly support, 9005; employment/job training, 9012; health/mental health/disease/disabilities, 9015; homelessness/hunger/emergencies, 9008, and neighborhood support/community improvement, 9014.

Members of the University community also can make donations to several United Way agencies that are part of the Pitt system. Those programs and their codes are: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 4722; clinical social work, 9203; breast cancer research, 830; child development center, 1280; Children's Neurosurgery Project, 4645; Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Center, 234; Department of Neurology/epilepsy, 1769; Eye & Ear Institute, 2593; Eye & Ear Institute/retinitis pigmentosa, 990; Generations Together, 574; Hand-in-Hand Festival, 1241; Jannetta Research Fund, 3943; national history of AIDS, 1955; Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 2331; Pittsburgh Cancer Institute/Blair Crawford program, 4231; Right Start Program, 1475; Schwentker Endowment in Neurosurgery, 9239; Sclero-derma Research Fund, 4492; Sotereanos Endowment/oral and maxillo, 9138, and speech & hearing, 1228.

–Mike Sajna