By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Some 450 volunteers from 51 local businesses took part in the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way's seventh annual Day of Caring, the official beginning of the agency's 2004 general fund-raising campaign.
The 2004 campaign goal is $3.2 million, the same as 2003, which came up about $100,000 short.
"The only way we are going to be successful is to shake the bushes," said Tom Hollern, chairman of the 2004 Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way campaign.
"We know [reaching] the goal will be difficult, but we feel it is important to have a goal to work toward," said Hollern, area president for National City.
The Day of Caring got under way Tuesday with a breakfast at 8 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. with the 2004 campaign kick-off dinner, both at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Banquet Hall.
Day of Caring is a community service project in which volunteers from area businesses do projects, such as painting, cleaning, building, serving meals and organizing activities, at locations throughout the community, said JoAnn Stock, director of campaign and marketing for United Way.
How it's going
At the kick-off dinner, Hollern said: "I want to thank the members of my campaign cabinet and the entire team of campaign volunteers and company coordinators for their dedication and commitment to United Way and to our community."
"Although we are off to a great start [advance gifts total $915,000 or 29 percent of the campaign goal], we must raise $3.2 million to continue the valuable services that are provided through the 90 programs operated by our 31 United Way agencies," he said.
Most of the programs receive fewer government dollars than in the past, making the United Way contribution even more important in the face of greater need, Hollern said.
However, Hollern refused to use a stagnant local economy as an excuse for not being successful.
Hollern said he is in the business of lending money to people who do and make things. And, he said a slight resurgence in that type of borrowing bodes well for the future of the local economy.
What's sought
A key to the success of the campaign is for more small businesses to consider letting United Way make a presentation to their employees, said Don Cagigas, president of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way.
"There is no pressure. We just want to ask their employees for $1 or $2 a week to help us help their neighbors. It's critical to our campaign," Cagigas said.
Mary Novak, staff accountant for Parker Hannifin, and chairwoman of The Community Corporation, thanked the volunteers who participated in the largest Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Day of Caring.
Richard C. Stevens, Regional Manager, Charter One Bank, and chairman of the Pacesetter Campaign, said $629,000 has been raised so far by the 70 Pacesetter organizations, with a number of these early campaigns still in progress.
Hollern said if the campaign continues to show the spirit exhibited by the Day of Caring volunteers and Pacesetter Campaign, then the $3.2 million is in the bank.