Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) officials have reported the 2012-13 campaign has raised $759,443 to date.
That is $963,868 short of its targeted $1.7 million goal to meet the needs of the 38 human service programs operating under the organization's umbrella.
"We still have a lot of work to do to close that gap and accomplish our mission," said Virgil Probasco, campaign chairman. "Recent history has shown that December has been a very positive month so we are optimistic that we will have a strong stretch the next few weeks to reach what is needed."
Compared to where the agency was last Nov. 30, the campaign is about $14,000 ahead, he said.
"The devastation caused last year by the floods slowed the early campaign results but in some ways it heightened the awareness of the importance of helping others. That translated into some positive results for our campaign," Probasco said. "This year we are experiencing a slight decline in some areas due to gifts that are being directed to the victims of Hurricane Sandy."
Many of the larger workplace campaigns in Lycoming County have yet to complete their in-house employee campaigns. With nearly 60 percent of campaign gifts coming from the workplace, the achievements of those campaigns will have a significant impact on the success of the overall campaign result.
"In recent years, we have received results later than was the case five or 10 years ago," said Scott N. Lowery LCUW executive director. "Consequently we have now found that it will be late January or early February until the results are known. It used to be we could report this information prior to Christmas."
Ron Frick, chairman of leadership giving, said individual donors at the Peter Herdic and Tocqueville Society levels have shown steady increases in contributions.
"Many of our donors contributing above the $500 level have increased their contributions this year. Their support, trust and confidence is vitally important to allow us to help so many others," Frick said. "Those wishing to make year-end contributions can be assured their gift will be put to very good use right in our local community."
For more information, call 323-9448 or visit www.lcuw.org.
