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Youngstown/Mahoning United Way Reaches 86% of Goal
"YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way annual campaign has reached 86% of its goal and volunteers will continue to work to raise the additional funds needed to reach the $3.2 million goal in the three weeks remaining in the campaign, according to Tom Hollern, area president for National City Corp. and chairman of the 2004 campaign. "We have raised $2,747,400 so far, and our volunteers are continuing to work to raise the additional $453,000 needed to reach our goal," he said. "We are cautiously optimistic and working very hard to be able to announce by mid-February that we have reached our goal." During the 2003 annual campaign, $3,004,700 was raised to benefit the local community, he added.Incentives for the 2004 campaign, including the Cobalt Driveaway and the Community Benefits Coupon Book have been well received, said JoAnn Stock, director of marketing and resource development. Any donor who gives a minimum of $2/week, or a total minimum gift of $104 is eligible to win a 2005 Chevy Cobalt donated by Greenwood Chevrolet. Each donor who qualifies for the Chevy Cobalt Driveaway will also receive a Community Benefits Coupon Book which includes discount offers from 38 local businesses. "These fun incentives have added a lot of excitement to this year's campaign," she noted.Stock emphasized that it is not too late for local businesses to run a workplace campaign, or for individuals to make a donation. "Since nearly 80% of United Way funds are raised through local workplace campaigns and corporate gifts, it is critical that local businesses support our United Way, and provide their employees the opportunity to give," she said. Through dollars raised during the annual campaign, the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way provides funding for more than 90 programs of 31 affiliated agencies that help one out of every four people in the community, Hollern noted. Funding is focused on five key impact areas; Nurturing our Children, Enriching the Lives of our Seniors, Promoting Health and Wellness, Caring for People in Crisis, and Achieving our Potential. United Way funded programs help to feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, nurture children, strengthen families, maintain senior independence, and ensure that emergency services are available in times of disaster. "United Way-funded agencies rely on the dollars raised in the annual campaign to deliver results to our community," Hollern said. "Clearly, the needs are great, and unfortunately, during difficult times, the demand for the services provided by our agencies is even greater." Visit Youngstown/Mahoning County United Way: www.ymvunitedway.org"