Leadership for the 1999 Johns Hopkins United Way campaign said they are happy to report another very successful year of giving. The chairs said that with a few weeks still left in which to contribute to the campaign, they are confident they will meet Hopkins' overall goal of $1,684,000.

To date, the combined contributions from those at the university, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Applied Physics Laboratory is $1,600,854. Money raised at the School of Advanced International Studies is reported to the Washington Capital Area United Way campaign.

The Oldies But Goodies Dance brought in a crowd and funds for the United Way.

Samuel J. Seymour, business coordinator of APL and chair of the division's United Way campaign, said his institution already can report a 14 percent increase in donations from last year's total. "We were very pleased with the response of our staff in meeting the needs of our community in such a generous way," Seymour said. APL also doubled its number of leadership members, those who donate $1,000 or more.

Overall, Johns Hopkins institutions had 137 new leadership members.

Audrey Smith, campaign chair for the university, said everyone who contributed to this year's drive should be proud and feel content that his or her money has gone to an extremely valuable cause.

"Hopkins employees gave freely to this cause this year and made a generous commitment to the United Way," said Smith, vice president for human resources. "Personally it's been a very pleasant experience for me as chair because now I understand even more the value that United Way brings to the Baltimore community--in particular how United Way agencies help strengthen families, build the work force, respond to crisis and invest in children and youth."

Smith also encouraged those who haven't given yet "to please consider doing so."

Although the 1999 United Way Campaign officially ends at the end of November, Smith said, pledges and contributions are welcome all year long.