With only six weeks left in its community campaign, United Way of Eastern La Salle County has reached 43 percent of its $434,000 fundraising goal. As of the beginning of the week, the organization has received $186,281 in pledges and contributions.

United Way Campaign Co-Chairman Jay LeSeure of WCMY-AM 1430/95.3 SAM FM said the organization is counting on a number of remaining corporate campaigns to help meet the goal.

"Some of the larger company campaigns are starting a little later, for example, Fairmount Minerals is starting their campaign this week," LeSeure said.

With a few major corporate campaigns still to report, LeSeure said the organization couldn't yet say whether it will make its goal.

"Right now, the jury is still out. There is a lot of positive activity and we are receiving generous campaign contributions from local business, organizations and area residents every day, but with so much uncertainty in the economy, it's hard to predict whether we'll reach the goal."

Steve Gonzalo, First National Bank of Ottawa, campaign co-chairman, added, "With a county unemployment rate of over 13 percent and over 7,885 households, a 22-percent increase since January, receiving food stamps, the need for the services United Way provides and helps to support are greater today than ever before. Besides company campaigns, gifts from individuals — professionals, self-employed, retirees and employees of small business — are so important to United Way's ability to support human services in eastern La Salle County."

United Way has been encouraged by local fundraising efforts, said Gonzalo. The 10th annual Illinois Valley Building Trades Charity Challenge Golf Outing raised $7,800 for the campaign, in spite of rain, and the "Odd Couple" cast party hosted by JJ's Pub in Ottawa, featuring Walt Willey and Kim "Howard" Johnson, raised more than $3,000 to benefit United Way and participating agencies.

Kohl's Distribution Center, the first corporate campaign to pledge this year, reported contribution increases of 24 percent over last year. Kohl's and its associates contributed $7,049. Silica Sand Transport and employees more than doubled their United Way campaign support by donating $3,230.

The campaign Gonzalo and LeSeure enthusiastically described as one of the most inspiring efforts to benefit the United Way Campaign was the Youth Coin Campaign. During October, preschool and elementary school students throughout eastern La Salle County brought their pennies and coins to school to help fill a classroom milk jug for United Way. Together, students contributed $10,059.99 — more than a million pennies. Kathy Heenan, of Ottawa Elementary School, and Dave Mathis, superintendent at Grand Ridge Grade School, led the Coin Campaign.

United Way's volunteer leaders are seeking support from organizations and individuals who have not contributed to the campaign in the past, as well as asking donors who can, to consider increasing their gift this year.

Donations can be dropped off or mailed to United Way of Eastern La Salle County, 1400 La Salle St., Ottawa, IL 61350.

Donations stay in eastern La Salle County to help support the following agencies and United Way community initiatives: A Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Service, Alternatives for the Older Adult and Bridges Senior Center, American Red Cross, Born Learning, Boy Scouts, WD Boyce Council, Catholic Charities, Community Care Emergency Assistance, Friendship House, Health Center of Eastern La Salle County, Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living, Imagination Library, Labor of Love, La Salle County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Opportunity School, Ottawa Memorial Association, Prairie State Legal Services, School Tools, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Voluntary Action Center Home Delivered Meals, YMCA and Youth Service Bureau.

To learn more about United Way and supported programs, call 815-434-4003, e-mail unitedwayelc@sbcglobal.net or visit www.unitedwayelc.org.