United Way’s $95-Million Goal Reaches Halfway Mark

Since its start in September, the United Way’s fund-raising campaign has yielded a record $50 million dollars--more than half of the charity’s goal for this year, a spokesman announced.

Campaign chairman James P. Miscoll said the organization was already 9% ahead of last year’s campaign, which netted $88.3 million. This year’s goal is $95 million.

In his first “progress report,” released last week, Miscoll attributed the campaign’s success to an increase in giving in all major categories. Corporate giving was up 8%. Employee contributions, which normally represent about two-thirds of campaign revenues, increased by 10%. Miscoll also noted an increase in giving by members of organized labor.

“These efforts will result in expanded capacity to serve our communities through the 350 health and human service agencies United Way supports,” Miscoll said.