United Way’s Stocking Filled 11.2% Over ’87

United Way of Orange County announced Tuesday night that it raised $18,603,428 during its 1988 drive, an 11.2% increase over 1987’s amount.

The announcement came during United Way’s “volunteer celebration” dinner at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

“We went for the unbelievable, and we achieved the unexpected,” said Charlie Rinehart, the 1988 United Way volunteer campaign chairman.

The increase over last year is the first time since 1984 that United Way of Orange County has had a double-digit increase in one year, officials said.

Money raised by United Way is allocated to 121 local health and service agencies.

“We were even more impressed with these (1988) results after hearing that contributions to all charities decreased by 30% this past year, according to Mark Baldassare’s Orange County Annual Survey released last week,” Rinehart said.

“I interpret our increase to mean that more people and companies are becoming aware of how important a strong, healthy United Way is to a community.”

Rinehart attributed the success of the 1988 campaign to several factors, including an increase in the number of people giving $1,000 or more.

Rinehart also cited the $250,000 matching grant given this year by Peter and Gail Ochs. Peter Ochs is chairman of the Fieldstone Co. in Newport Beach.

During the dinner Tuesday night, the Ochses received United Way of Orange County’s highest honor, the Dimensions in Giving Award.