The United Way provides “service to communities defined by common issues, regional collaboration, shared resources, improved lives, and a stronger community for the region,” according to its Web site.

For the 2006 campaign, RPI ranked fifth among all contributing companies and organizations in the Capital Region, with 568 employees contributing $146,229 to the United Way.

RPI also ranked first in employee giving among local colleges and universities, employee per capita giving, and percentage of employee participation, and second in the average gift category with a $253 average.

The Community Fair will include more than 12 artisan tables consisting of baskets, fleece hats, scarves, and jewelry. There will also be a dunking booth and RPI table outside, as well as a bake sale table, raffle tickets, and free fried dough. The crafters will give at least 50 percent of their profits to the United Way campaign, although they have the option to donate more.

There will also be a place to donate used or old cell phones or BlackBerries at the fair.

The event is designed to promote a “communiversity,” a driving force seen in many RPI initiatives.

The coordinators for this year’s campaign are Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Policy and Planning Cynthia McIntyre, Kim Cardillo and Tanya Rautine from the Office of the Vice President for Research, Cindy Novak from the Office of the Provost, and Lecia O’Dell from the School of Architecture.

“Our goal is the get everyone to contribute in some way to the campaign,” said Cardillo.

Cardillo and RPI’s United Way representative Jim Mulligan, have worked hard to bring the RPI students a fun and exciting afternoon where they can not only enjoy some fried dough and massage chairs, but can also give back to the community through the United Way organization.