This year, the University set a United Way campaign goal of $525,000 — by far the highest in University history.

And the people have responded.

So far, campaign contributions have totaled slightly more than $551,000, with more pledges still trickling in.

"We are so very grateful for the continuing generosity of our faculty and staff members," said Ann B. Prenatt, vice chancellor for human resources and campaign chair. "Each year we raise our financial goal in order to help meet the growing need in the community, and each year our colleagues respond."

People can be assured that their contributions are going to the intended places. Fully 90 percent of contributions to the United Way of Greater St. Louis goes directly to providing services for people in the community, making it one of the highest assistance rates in the country.

The region is near the top in another area, too. Despite being the 18th-largest metro area in the nation, St. Louis is 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.

"I want to thank our campus campaign co-chairs and our many volunteers for their hard work in driving another successful fund-raising effort for the United Way," Prenatt said.

"So many people will receive services through the United Way-funded agencies that, if it were not for the financial support of the United Way, could not exist."