Ravenna, Ohio.

The United Way of Portage County continues to seek additional pledges as it strives to close in on its 2009 campaign goal.

Last year the organization surpassed its goal and successfully raised $1,025,000 during a shaky economic season. However, the continued level of economic uncertainty has affected this year's United Way campaign and its ability to reach its 2009 goal of $1,029,000. "To date approximately $850,000 is either in or on its way in," according to Steve Kleiber, United Way CEO & President. "We are doing everything we can to close this gap by approaching past and potentially new contributors," says Kleiber.

"Many employees were just not able to give this year which is certainly understandable. We have all been affected by the economy. But thanks to our long time loyal contributors and participating organizations, we have been able to collect what we have so far," says Kleiber.

United Way's top contributing organizations are Kent State University, Davey Tree Expert Company, The Step2 Company, Deluxe Corporation and Robinson Memorial Hospital. New workplace campaigns were run at Custom Pultrusions in Streetsboro and H & M Rubber in Kent. "Even in our difficult economy, some organizations responded to the invitation to run first time employee campaigns," says Kleiber. These top contributing organizations and new campaigns account for $362,533 of the dollars raised so far.

With raising healthcare costs and decreased employee benefits, some employers were afraid to solicit their employees for pledges and elected to not run workplace campaigns. "This is unfortunate," comments Kent State University's Terri Christensen, the 2010 United Way Chair. She continues, "Many employees enjoy giving back to their community through the convenience of payroll deduction and have done so for years. It is sad when their employers take that privilege away. We plan to approach them again in 2010 with the hope they reconsider their 2010 participation."

The United Way of Portage County funds 37 health and human service programs through 12 local non-profit agencies. It is critical these organizations continue to exist and are able to provide the necessary services needed here in our community. Attorney Jim Masi and State Farm's Dave Petrone are co-chairing the 2010 fund distribution process. Masi states, "These great agencies already run on shoe string budgets and desperately need our funding to serve their growing clientele. They have experienced other cuts, so we do not want to let them down or the people they serve. The distribution process will be even more challenging this year than ever before." The United Way, like everyone else, hopes things turn around before next year's campaign. "Other United Way's around the country have seen significant decreases as well," says Kleiber. "What we are experiencing in Portage County is not unfamiliar across the nation."

If you have not already contributed to this year's United Way annual drive through a workplace campaign or direct mail solicitation and would like to do so, please send your gift in today to P.O. Box 845, Ravenna, OH 44266. If you are interested in volunteering for the Fund Distribution (FUNDEC) process now underway, call Steve Kleiber at 330-297-1424, ext. 112.