As the local UW campaign draws to an official close, workers remain confident they will eventually achieve their goal of $300,000, but added they would have to be creative in order to reach that mark.

Jeannie Coor, executive director of the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County, said this year's campaign has raised approximately $175,000 to date, but said some special projects on the drawing board should help workers reach their goal.

“I think it's going well,” Coor said. “We started off slow ... but with everything that's coming in now, I feel like we'll reach our goal.”

This year's campaign will officially end Friday, but that doesn't mean fund-raising will come to a halt.

Coor said special events, like today's Empty Bowls luncheon, will continue to pad the campaign figures after its official close.

“We're planning a golf ball drop for sometime in the spring and we're also looking into a benefit golf tournament,” she said. “We'll announce the details when they're more firmed up.”

With the area's economy still feeling the effects of recession, campaign officials said special events such as the golf tournament may become the norm for future United Way drives.

“We're definitely going to have to think outside the box,” UW board member Eve Nieto said. “It's definitely tougher this year than in the past. At the same time, our agencies are stretched ... so we're going to have to do some special things to get to our goal.”

Nieto said officials will meet Dec. 7 to announce initial allocations to the agencies which receive funds from United Way.

“With all these special events, I believe we'll reach our goals,” Nieto said.

For more information how to donate, contact the United Way office at 267-5201.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it