It was a visit to a local farm to see children with disabilities riding horses that inspired Soula Serra to get involved – and to stay involved – with the United Way.

A student development specialist in the university’s Educational Development Centre, Serra was working as a volunteer fundraiser for the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association in 2003 when she got to see first-hand how a United Way funded organization was helping vulnerable members of the community.

“A lot of times it was children who couldn’t walk, but when they rode horses, it gave them a sense of what it was like to be walking,” said Serra, an associate with the university’s annual United Way campaign. “It was really amazing for them emotionally, for their confidence and self-esteem.”

On Friday, campaign organizers got together for lunch to celebrate the fact that the university surpassed its fund-raising goal this year by about $2,000 by raising $112,000 for the United Way.

Serra was a canvasser for her department, but also helped by organizing and promoting fundraising events such as campus community barbecues and iClimb, which saw volunteers scale stairs at the WFCU Centre last fall and raise $2,200. She was excited to see the campaign surpass its goal, especially because she knows how it benefits organizations like the riding association.

“Without United Way funding they just wouldn’t exist,” she said.

President Alan Wildeman was on hand Friday to congratulate the volunteers who work for the campaign on surpassing their goal.

“It’s done because you believe in it and that’s what makes it truly great,” he said. “There’s a greater need out there than there is a capacity to help, but we’re just glad the university can help in any way it can.”

Dr. Wildeman also praised campaign chair Data Pillay for his commitment to the cause.

“He’s worked so hard for so many years at this and every year he’s willing to take it on again,” he said.

United Way executive director Penny Marrett was there Friday to help celebrate the accomplishment.

“I must admit when I saw the numbers I was amazed,” she said. “You continue to grow and for that we’re very grateful because through that, we know we’ll be able to continue the work we do.”