Syracuse University and community members broke a fundraising record with their donations to the 2010 United Way campaign.

During the 2010 campaign, more than 300 volunteers, consisting of students, faculty and staff, and 765 donors raised $214,300, a 7 percent increase from the amount raised in 2009, said Sara Miller, associate director of SU News Services.

More than 40 fundraisers contributed to the campaign, including the Dollar Day at the Dome in November, which helped raise $17,516, Miller said.

United Way’s mission is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another, according to its website. The money could go to a general fund, or donors could request where it is applied. Almost 300 of the 765 donors gave donations to specific charities, Miller said. More than 330 donors gave their contributions to wherever the need was greatest. Miller said she believes United Way officials determine the greatest need.

The campaign is important to the Syracuse and Onondaga County community, said Tony Callisto, vice chair of the United Way campaign and chief of the Department of Public Safety. The nonprofit organizations in the community serve the needs of the hungry and abused, as well as those with physical difficulties, among others, Callisto said.

Callisto said his way of serving the community is making sure hungry people in the community are fed through the Food Bank of Central New York, where he has served as the president of the Board of Directors for the past few years. The food bank is a recipient agency of United Way. 

It was not surprising the diverse mix of faculty, staff and students in the SU community was able to increase the money raised by 7 percent, Callisto said. The campaign worked to involve more students, which he said helped increase contributions. The Dollar Day at the Dome brought in double the amount normally given, and Callisto said almost all students solicited for funds outside of the game.

‘People here recognize that there’s an increase need based on the challenges of the economy,’ he said. ‘Folks were able to step up here, and I am very proud of the community.’ 

medelane@syr.edu

Published on February 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Meghin: medelane@syr.edu | @meghinwithani