SALEM United Way reaches 75% of 2003 goal

SALEM -- United Way volunteers here have raised about 75 percent of the agency's $270,000 goal just two months into the 2003 campaign.
Ray Maurer, executive director of the Northern Columbiana County United Way said Monday $200,645 has been promised with pledges coming from individuals and corporations.
Maurer said several of the area's larger employers have yet to report.
He said local United Way officials decided to lower the 2003 goal -- to $270,000, down from 2002's $281,232 -- because the agency did not meet its 2002 goal.
Maurer said the agency raised about $260,000 in the 2002 campaign, with about $200,000 promised by the end of November.
In 2002, the mail campaign and individual giving goals were met, but the drive fell short in important industrial, corporate and commercial donations, he added.
Maurer said because the local agency did not meet its goal last year, the 21 social service agencies that receive funding did not get their full requested amounts.
Maurer pointed out the lives of more than 18,000 county people have been made better because of the activities supported by United Way.