Iowa State kicked off its 1997 United Way campaign, “Painting a Horizon of Hope,” with a reception at the Memorial Union on Wednesday and a challenge to faculty and students.

The ISU campaign goal of $168,000 accounts for nearly 25 percent of the Story County goal of $700,000.

The United Way funds 31 human service organizations in Story County. Dean of Business Benjamin Allen, director of the ISU United Way campaign, said many of these services are relevant to the university.

“A lot of university community members access these agencies,” Allen said. One of the more popular ISU-accessible agencies funded by United Way is University Community Childcare, he said.

ISU President Martin Jischke spoke of the importance of United Way’s efforts. “Sometimes these services make all the difference; sometimes that is the difference between life and death,” Jischke said.

Jischke also stressed the importance of community involvement by university students and staff. “It’s one of the ways the university embraces the community in which we all live,” Jischke said.

Jischke said he hopes involvement among ISU staff will increase this year. “We have 8,000 employees at ISU. If everyone gave, we could reach our goal with donations of just a little over $20 per person.”

The ISU United Way campaign attracted support from approximately 20 percent of staff members in 1996. An increase to 22 percent involvement would allow ISU to exceed its goal of $168,000 by 5 percent.

Dean of Engineering James Melsa, chairperson of the Story County United Way campaign, also encouraged faculty to get more people involved.

“Find some creative ways to make people aware of United Way so it won’t be so easy for them to pass away that envelope without donating,” Melsa said.

Rich Lampkin, executive director of the United Way of Story County, said student donations have a significant impact on the campaign.

Last year was the first year the United Way targeted students for donations. Lampkin said he is hopeful about this year’s student impact.

“If every student could donate $1, that would be $25,000,” Lampkin said. “That would rank ISU No. 1 in student participation in the Big 12.”

“Twenty-five thousand dollars to a small agency makes a tremendous difference,” Lampkin said.

“Boys and Girls Club receives half of their funding from United Way. If we had an additional $25,000, think of all the things they could do,” he said.

Lampkin also cited the need for volunteers in programs United Way supports. “All the agencies we fund need volunteers. The university students can provide lots of volunteer service,” he said.

Lampkin also said service to the United Way provides a learning experience for ISU students.

“Corporate giving and volunteering will be a part of the business world these students are entering. They will learn about that through the United Way,” he said.

The coordinators of ISU’s campaign said the goal will be easy to reach if students and faculty all get involved.

“It doesn’t take much from each individual,” Melsa said. “We just need to touch those individuals.”