United Way of McLeod County Board President Kathy Silvernale announced today that due to the current economic realities, the regional non-profit has extended its current “Fall Campaign” to March 31, 2009. After meeting with 42 partner agencies in May, the UWMC established a $280,000 county-wide campaign need this fall. Thus far in 2008, the campaign has received pledges of $196,000, or roughly 70% of the goal. Historically, the United Way campaign has ended with each calendar year.

“Despite the tremendous generosity of so many individuals, families and businesses in McLeod County this fall, due to the trying economic times, we were not able to reach our goal in 2008,” said Silvernale. “We felt that it was in the best interest of our partner agencies to extend our campaign into the first quarter of 2009. The last thing we want to do is to have to cut allocations to agencies that are helping so many in need right now.”

“By extending our deadline it will allow us to get out to a number of businesses that due to increased volume with a county-wide campaign, we haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet,” said UWMC Executive Director Paul Thompson. “We owe it to our partner agencies and all the people who benefit from their programs and services to press on toward meeting our county-wide need that was established in May.”