It wasn't a record breaker, but Western University has raised a substantial amount of cash for the United Way of London & Middlesex.
Western announced on Wednesday that faculty, staff, students, and university retirees donated a combined total of $657,234 to this year's campaign.
"It's on the lower side of the last few years but even though we have announced we are still running the campaign up until March," said Michelle Parkin, Western's campaign co-chair. "There are a lot traditional donors that we haven't been able to collect contributions from yet but are contacting."
Special events, including a new chili lunch, were held across the campus to raise the funds.
Parkin said a large component of this year's campaign was on educating those at Western about what the United Way does in the community.
"It's not all about the dollars. We really focused this year's campaign on building awareness and participation," said Parkin. "It's not about how much one is giving, it is really about the fact that people are aware of the need and people are committing whatever they can to help support people in our community."
Over the year's Western has donated more than $12-million to the United Way.
In September, the charity announced a goal of $9.172-million for the 2016 campaign.
