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ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's participation in the city-wide 2016 United Way campaign proved that "Together: We Go Far." Faculty, staff, and students raised nearly $75,000 that will provide critical support such as food, clothing, shelter, and safety, improving lives in the San Antonio area.

"The ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà community's generosity was inspiring and demonstrates ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's concern, commitment, and connection to help address the health and human service needs of many in the San Antonio community," said President Danny Anderson. "I am so grateful to the large number of colleagues who opened their hearts and wallets, and in a tangible way."

More than 56 percent of faculty and staff contributed to this year's United Way campaign. Faculty and staff, in general, made larger gifts this year setting a record in the number of ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà leadership gifts of $500 and more to the campaign.

Proving that all gifts, no matter the size, make a difference, students from ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's H.O.P.E. Hall collected more than $618 during a one-night "dorm storm" as part of this year's United Way campaign. Students in this living-learning community, focused on community service, canvassed the residence halls seeking contributions that filled their "coffee cans." As an incentive to ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà students, President Anderson and Vice President for Student Life Sheryl Tynes both matched, dollar for dollar, their collection.

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County focuses on improving early care and education for children, helping students succeed in school, strengthening individuals and families, and improving neighborhoods. United Way supports 138 high-quality programs and initiatives that provide a critical safety net of health and human services to those in need in our community.

One of those initiatives is the Texas Diaper Bank. As part of ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's United Way campaign, more than 50 staff and faculty participated in a volunteer "Day of Caring" at the Texas Diaper Bank. They packaged thousands of diapers that were distributed to families across San Antonio in need of this vital support. The Texas Diaper Bank has been working to meet the basic needs of vulnerable babies, children with disabilities, and seniors since 1997. "We enjoyed learning more about this United Way supported agency and had a great time as a group," said Les Bleamaster, co-chair of ÐÔ°®ÌìÌÃ's 2016 United Way Campaign Committee. "We left feeling our labors had contributed to improving lives in our community." This United Way-supported organization is just one of more than 69 partner agencies that ensure help is there when it is needed the most.