Diana Panter, United Way staff campaign chair, adjusts the tally of the Brock United Way campaign total. So far, the University has reached 85 per cent of its goal.

With 85 per cent of the money raised to meet Brock’s United Way campaign goal, Diana Panter is confident the University will reach its $120,000 target.

The staff campaign chair isn’t so sure it will happen by the drive’s official close on Friday.

Still, with a few days left in the campaign, Panter and her committee have plans to reach out to that great untapped source of donations: procrastinators.

“We’re closer. We just have to reconnect with the people who save their donations to the last minute,” Panter said.

So far, about $102,000 has been raised since the campaign kicked off Oct. 16 with the Souper Star Lunch that saw faculty deans go bowl to bowl in a competition for the best soup.

“We especially love having the deans involved because it encourages more faculty to get involved,” Panter said.

As it turns out, about 20 per cent of faculty give to the fundraiser but contribute 65 per cent of the total donations.

A Halloween fun run and trivia night, which saw 120 people test their knowledge, have also brought in much needed cash infusions to the United Way, a charity that funds dozens of social programs and agencies.

At trivia night, which saw more people participating than last year, another $1,800 was added to the tally just from the silent auction.

But while the last two years saw the annual fundraising goals exceeded, Panter said 2012 has been a challenge because of a shortage in committee members to help encourage the masses to dig deep.

“We’ve had to make a harder push to promote the campaign,” she said.

There is still time and opportunity to help, though.

Payroll deduction forms are available to faculty and staff, enabling donors to contribute throughout the year to the charity. It can also make larger donations easier, Panter noted.

“Payroll deduction is a great way for people to make a larger donation because it breaks it up over the year,” she said.

Unlike other years, this year there’s the opportunity for funds to be matched by a community sponsor.

People who donate $1,000 or $20 a week for the first time will see their contribution matched dollar for dollar.

Matching contributions will also be made when donors who have given $1,000 previously up their donations this year. Anything above a 10 per cent increase will be matched.

Even more enticing, Panter noted, is that such a donation reaps a $363 tax credit.

“With the tax credit, you end up paying just over $600 but the donation will gross $2,000 for the United Way. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact to those in the community who need it the most,” she said.

Payroll deduction and donation forms are available from human resources or by contacting Panter at dpanter@brocku.ca.

A wrap-up event celebration with cake and coffee for donors, volunteers and supporters happens on Friday at 2 p.m. in Market Hall.