The economy is showing signs of gaining strength but is leaving behind devastated families and individuals in its climb back to stability.

Now more than ever, people are relying on the graciousness of others to make it through. And that's where the United Way — and you — come in.

The 2003 campaign for the United Way of Greater St. Louis is now under way, and University faculty and staff members should have already received pledge cards in the mail.

David Kilper

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton addresses those gathered Sept. 4 at Whittemore House for a breakfast kicking off the 2003 campaign for the United Way of Greater St. Louis. The University's goal for this year is $500,000.

"There could perhaps be nothing greater that we could do during this year of celebration than to increase our commitment to the community in which we all live and work," Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said in an accompanying letter. "These are challenging days for those less well-off than ourselves, and the United Way funds more than 200 health and human service agencies that help people in need."

Last year, the University far exceeded its goal and raised close to a half-million dollars. The hope is that this year's campaign will be as successful, with a goal of raising $500,000.

Lest you think that contributions made will get divided among several power brokers, middlemen and corporations — think again.

Fully 90 percent of contributions to the Greater St. Louis United Way goes directly to providing services for people in the community, making it one of the highest assistance rates in the country.

The region is on top in another area, too. Despite being just the 18th-largest metro area in the nation, St. Louis ranks eighth in terms of support for the United Way.

The United Way provides assistance to more than 200 health and human service organizations in Missouri and Illinois, with one in three people in the region being helped by a United Way-assisted organization.

The campaign officially ends Oct. 31, but the Office of Human Resources will accept pledge cards up to the end of the calendar year and beyond.