That's according to this year's United Way of Lancaster County campaign chairman, and he's not talking about a college bowl game, or a pro football game for some team on the playoff bubble.
He's speaking of the United Way's about-to-end campaign drive, which was on target for a great year until some unexpected bad news came in.
Campaigns at four major companies were well-below the expected donations, leaving the overall campaign-making a late drive to reach its goal.
So from now until the campaign's official end on Wednesday, Jan. 24, "we need the community's help, we need the companies' help, and we need individuals' help," Bill Reuter, 2006 campaign chairman, said Wednesday.
The four companies, which are based outside the county, came up a combined $450,000 short of last year in their campaigns.
And as of Wednesday, the United Way's overall 2006 campaign is $108,000 short of this year's $10 million goal.
The United Way has bettered its annual campaign amount for 13 straight years, and Reuter, United Way president Susan Eckert and other officials with the Manheim Township-based agency are making a special push to keep the streak going.
They've contacted individuals, companies, those who gave last year but not in 2006 — they're called, by the way, LYBNTS, which sounds like "lie-bunts" and stands for "last year, but not this year."
Most of all, Eckert added, they want to let the public know "that we've experienced more of a challenge this year than we have in the past.
"We very seldom have gone back to the community with this kind of message ... but we have great hope we can still attain last year's amount."
Early signs are encouraging.
Since announcing the shortfall to its board of directors and key volunteers 11 days ago, the original $160,000 shortage has been cut by $52,000, thanks to gifts from first-time donors, and increases from current ones and from several companies.
Donations to the 2006 campaign were about 5 to 6 percent ahead of last year's until the unexpected shortfall, said Reuter, who’s also president and chief executive officer of Susquehanna Bancshares Inc.
United Way funds 49 member agencies and services, meeting a variety of human and social-service needs in this region.
Despite the 2006 shortage, many company campaigns are doing well, the United Way officials said.
Employees with Alcoa Mill Products Lancaster increased their giving from $88,000 to $99,000, a 12 percent increase, while Bank of Lancaster County employees raised $22,000 more than last year, a 10 percent jump.
The late push is "about more than reaching the $10 million mark, it's about helping individuals and families, and helping to build a stronger Lancaster County," said Greg Freedland, United Way's communications director.
Donations of any amount can be sent to the United Way, 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster 17601. Donors also can call 394-0731 or visit www.uwlanc.org.
· CONTACT US: doconnor@LNPnews.com or 481-6033
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