Local News in Brief : United Way Drive Raises 80% of Goal

With less than four weeks remaining in its fund-raising campaign, United Way of Los Angeles has raised $70.7 million, or 80%, of its $89-million goal.

The donations are running 9% ahead of last year’s level during the same period of the campaign, said George F. Moody, United Way’s general campaign chairman.

United Way raises money for about 360 social service agencies and health organizations locally. Under new leadership, the organization has doubled campaign volunteers to almost 1,700 and targeted new businesses. But the campaign this year, which ends April 13, has been shortened by more than a month.

The final days of the campaign will emphasize the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a nationwide United Way group of people who give more than $10,000 annually. Last year, there were 170 such donors in Los Angeles, and officials hope to sign up 500 this year.

The Los Angeles charity raised $83.5 million last year.