LANSING—The United Way of Gladwin County annual general fundraising campaign is coming to a close, and the nonprofit organization reached only 25 percent of its goal.

The organization works with 23 local human service agencies. The Literacy Council of Clare and Gladwin Counties, Mid-Michigan Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the American Red Cross are among them.

The national organization was started in 1887 by religious leaders in Denver, its vision being, “to build a stronger America by mobilizing communities to improve people’s lives.”

The United Way, which is based in Alexandria, Va., raised $4.07 billion in 2006 through more than 1,300 local affiliates.

The United Way of Gladwin County collected about $123,000 last year, and Executive Director Tami Jenkinson said that the goal for 2007 is $125,000. So far only about $30,000 has been collected.

“It’s been a really slow year,” she said, “We go into local manufacturing plants and businesses, and just about every one of them have been down this year.”

Jenkinson cited poor economic conditions, including high unemployment and housing foreclosures, as factors that are inhibiting contributions.

“But we’re hopeful and we’ll do the best we can to provide for the needs of our agencies,” she said.

The United Way of Gladwin County tries to wrap up its general annual fundraising campaign in mid-November, but Jenkinson said that it now extends into early December because the goal hasn’t been reached.

Teresa Kmetz, chief operating officer for external operations for the Capital Area United Way in Lansing, said that it has reached 75 percent of its goal and she is confident it will be obtained, just as it was last year.

The 2006 goal was $5.7 million and the 2007 goal is $5,727,000.

However, Kmetz acknowledged that, “companies are running a little later than normal,” and that while most of their campaigns will finish before the end of the year, some of the reports on their success won’t come in until spring.

There are currently about 3,000 campaigns throughout the Lansing area.

She said, “Each United Way is individual in its situation and the economy definitely presents challenges,” adding that it is now a “difficult climate for fundraising.”

“It’s important for us to help communities understand that this is a time of great need,” she said, “and it’s especially important for those of us with the capacity to give to step up.”

Jenkinson said that if enough money isn’t raised, it won’t be able to “serve the people that need help,” adding that some will “slip through the cracks.”

“The United Way has been very generous to us in providing assistance for our disaster services,” said Patricia Tiernan, executive director of the Midland/Gladwin Chapter of the American Red Cross.

She said that in 2007 the chapter received $4,000, which helped “to provide assistance for victims of single family fires,” and that “money was used to provide clothing, food, shelter, as well as prescription medication replacement.”

Tiernan said that money from the United Way has a “significant impact” on the chapter, and added that while the same services will be provided if funding is taken away or significantly reduced, it might cause it to go into a budget deficit.

“We are absolutely concerned,” she said, “We also know that the economy has really struggled and that people are having to make choices and cut-backs, but we hope people would continue to support the United Way and services that are truly available for everyone.

“No matter who you are there’s a program for you.”