Campaign officials announced this week that the 2009 ended the formal campaign finished far short of its goal of $300,000.

“Right now, we're at around $180,000,” said Eve Nieto of the UW board of directors.

Big Spring is in good company, as many United Way campaigns across the country have suffered shortfalls. The major culprit, Nieto believes, is the economy.

“I just think people are afraid and unsure what's going to happen with our economy,” she said. “They're just unsure about the future. I don't think Texas has been hit as hard as other areas, but I do think people are more unsure about things right now.”

Nieto said the UW's allocation committee recently met to divvy up revenue to the 14 local agencies that receive funds from United Way. Understandably, she said, there were some long faces.

“The hardest part for everyone, and the most disappointing, is that, more than ever, our agencies are in need,” she said.

Despite the discouraging news, however, United Way officials are not ready to “give up the ship” on this year's campaign.

Nieto said donations would be actively sought and sincerely appreciated. In fact, donors can earmark where they want their money to go.

“We just want to make an appeal to anyone who might want to donate,” she said. “With the exception of dues we have to make to the state and national (United Way), all the money raised stays here in Howard County ... And if someone prefers to donate to just one of the agencies, we'll accept that. We allow people to designate where they want their money to go.”

Agencies that receive funds from the United Way are the American Red Cross West Texas Division; Buffalo Trail Council of Boy Scouts of America; CASA of West Texas; Council on Aging; Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center; Howard County Humane Society; Isaiah 58; Northside Community Center; Salvation Army; Victim Services; Westside Community Center; Westside Day Care Center; Girl Scouts; and YMCA of Big Spring.

Nieto noted that major fund raisers are scheduled for the spring that should help augment UW allocations.

“We'll have our golf ball drop and golf tournament in the spring, so we'll be getting some extra money in the near future.”

For more information on how to donate to the United Way, call 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