By Anthea Passmore
Buffalo, NY – The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County is out with the latest fundraising figures for its 2005 Community Care Campaign. It's the first update since last month's announcement that the campaign was 41 percent behind last year's pace.
United Way reports more than $11 million has been raised in the 2005 Community Care Campaign. Arlene Kaukus, president of United Way in Buffalo and Erie County, says that although the figures are worth celebrating, there is still a lot more to do.
"It's great to celebrate $11.4 million, but we know the needs far exceed that," Kaukus said.
Kaukus said that a change in giving pace this year, as a result of international and national disasters, could explain their shortfall.
"So many companies and organizations undertook fund raising efforts on behalf of the Gulf Coast region victims," Kaukus said. "That was the right thing to do."
Kaukus said that although giving attention has focused on bigger issues and problems there is much work for the United Way to do here in Buffalo.
"It's a very challenging year," Kaukus said. "Lots of things are in people's hearts. We're worried about the local economy. We're concerned about high gas costs."
Along with the fundraising update, the United Way on Thursday honored volunteers who have worked on the 2005 Community Care Campaign.