Lawrence County United Way reaches goal

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It took a little longer than expected, but the Lawrence County United Way finally reached its 2001 campaign goal.
The United Way played host to a victory dinner last week when the $720,000 goal was met, said Gayle Young, UW executive director.
This year's total is about $34,000 more than the previous campaign's.
Terrorist attacks: Young has said the campaign was stifled by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks when many people decided to donate money to help the victims of those attacks and companies started downsizing.
The goal after Sept. 11 was to educate people about giving to local organizations such as the United Way, she said.
The United Way supports 19 nonprofit agencies in Lawrence County, including the New Castle City Rescue Mission, the New Castle Community Y and the American Red Cross.
Young has said the extra $34,000 was needed to help the United Way develop a strategic plan, something required for all UW agencies to outline how they will raise money and collaborate with other nonprofit agencies.
The United Way also plans to start a grant program that will help any nonprofit agency starting new programs, she said.