The Aloha United Way has set a $13.6 million goal for its 2001 general fund-raising campaign, but it is less than what the nonprofit organization actually needs. AUW sets fund
goal for the yearStar-Bulletin staff
The proceeds raised during the Aug. 30-Oct. 12 campaign will help provide funding to 65 health and service agencies.
"What we really need to raise is $20 million," said Irv Lauber, AUW president. "The needs are always greater than the resources."
Last year was the first time in six years that the campaign reached its goal, Lauber said. After bringing in $13.5 million last year, campaign organizers decided to raise their expectations.
"We continue to have great human service needs on Oahu, and we are going for what we think is a stretch goal given the economic conditions," Lauber said. "But we're always positive, and we know it's for a good set of purposes."
Mason Williams, chairman of the five-week Pacesetter Campaign that kicks off the general campaign, said he expects the 84 pacesetter organizations he is working with to meet their $1.77 million goal by July 6.
So far, only 15 companies have finished their campaigns, turning in $377,366, or 21 percent of the goal. "The rest we won't know until mid- or late August," he said.
"We're hoping to exceed the overall goal," Williams said.
All four of the city and county departments that have already turned in their money have gone past their goals. Civil Defense finished at 113 percent, Enterprise Services at 111 percent, the Honolulu Fire Department at 107 percent and the city clerk's office at 145 percent.
Corporate donations from City Mill Home Improvement Centers, MARSH USA Inc., Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and R.M. Towill Corp. total more than $100,000, Williams said.