No need for a recount, leadership for the 2000 Johns Hopkins United Way Campaign said; with a couple of weeks still left in which to contribute, they are confident they will meet Hopkins' overall goal of $1,822,500. All they need is for those who are not yet committed to pledge their support.

To date, the combined contributions from those at the university, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Applied Physics Laboratory total $1,807,500. Money raised at the School of Advanced International Studies is reported to the Washington Capital Area United Way Campaign.

Dec. 15 is the official last day for Hopkins pledges to be counted toward the overall United Way of Central Maryland Campaign's 2000 goal.

Edgar Roulhac, campaign chair for the university, said the success of the pledge drive was made possible by the generous spirit of Hopkins' staff and faculty and "the legions of individuals who invested their time, creativity and caring to this year's campaign."

"We can't take for granted that this money will just appear, but, thankfully, year after year Hopkins rises to the occasion and exceeds its own lofty expectations," said Roulhac, vice provost for academic services. "It's also important not to forget that these funds have a tremendous positive impact on the lives of thousands of individuals in our community."

Of note in this year's campaign, the School of Nursing exceeded its goal by 35 percent, raising $32,600, and Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, a wholly owned member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, exceeded its goal by 47 percent, with 61 percent of personnel participating.

Overall, Johns Hopkins institutions had 98 new leadership members, those who donate $1,000 or more.

Roulhac said that although the 2000 United Way Campaign officially ends next month, pledges and contributions are both welcome and needed all year long.

"While it is true that our contributions have a lingering value, the surrounding community has an ongoing need for assistance that can't be put into any time frame," he said. "We must always give what we can to those who are underserved and not as fortunate as ourselves."