UC Davis faculty and staff generously pledged or contributed $231,871 to Sacramento area community health and human care services during this year's United Way campaign. While overall contributions were down 3.18 percent, campus employees contributed 5.68 percent more than last year. Contributions at the UC Davis Medical Center fell 15.43 percent. A final tally shows $146,801 was raised by the campus and $85,070 by the medical center. "Thanks so much to all--especially key campaigners--who took to heart this year's United Way campaign theme, 'Doin' What's Good in Your Neighborhood,'" said Maril Revette Stratton, director of public communications and campus campaign chair. "Every gift--no matter the size--is so important, helping to deliver services where they're most needed in our communities." Employees could designate gifts to more than 20 clinical and research programs at UCDMC, in addition to the 200-plus Sacramento area United Way agencies. About 40 percent of those designating gifts doubled their contributions by choosing the "Children: Our Future" fund; gifts were matched by corporate and foundation dollars to support programs offering creative ways to address child abuse, family violence, school drop-outs, teen runaways, homelessness and family breakdown. Employee participation slipped a bit this year. While the campus raised more money, fewer employees gave: 11.61 percent of all employees participated in the campaign, compared to 11.85 percent last year. At UCDMC, 23.47 percent of all employees contributed, compared to 26.79 percent last year. Recent belt-tightening at the medical center likely resulted in UCDMC's lower totals this year, Stratton said. Last year, the generosity of UCDMC employees was particularly noteworthy; they raised 16.5 percent more than in the previous campaign. Participation levels have traditionally been stronger at the medical center than on the campus.