Community raises record amount for Monroe County United Way

IU employees and students made their largest contribution to the Monroe County United Way's annual fund-raising campaign -- nearly $640,000.\nChristopher Simpson, vice president of public affairs and government relations, and University Counsel Dorothy Frapwell co-chaired IU's campaign. More than 200 volunteers contributed to the campaign. \n"It's important to remember that United Way is a huge team effort," Simpson said. "It's not one, not two, not 10, but all of the participants on campus."\nThe $639,044 raised at IU was 106 percent of the $600,000 goal, said United Way Board President Barry Lessow, Monroe County campaign co-chair. Overall, the "Solutions for People" campaign raised $1.72 million, a record for Monroe County.\nSimpson said the money was raised primarily through pledge cards distributed to employees, but activities sponsored by student groups were also vital in raising funds.\n"What we do is distribute pledge cards to all of the employees and ask them to consider contributions," he said. "Some of the different student groups will do a variety of different activities which are very important, and we appreciate those immensely."\nNew to this year's campaign was an opportunity to match funds through donations from the Lilly Endowment and the Indiana Association of United Ways. Vanguard donors, people who contributed $1,000 or more, increased their pledges by 25 percent or more, were able to have their donations matched. More than $78,000 in matching funds were donated.\nIU's goal last year was $500,000. After breaking last year's goal, Simpson said they decided to raise this year's goal to $600,000.\n"We chose to set the goal knowing it would be very difficult to reach," he said. "The response was overwhelming ... We have made quantum leaps and we could not be more appreciative"