Countywide : United Way on Track Halfway Into Drive

Nearing the midway point of its annual fund-raising campaign, United Way of Orange County has received more than $9.8 million in pledges--just under half of its $20.2-million goal.

“The campaign is in good shape, and we’re going to meet the goal--there is no question about that,” said Vince Kontny, who led the 1993 fund-raising effort and is serving as assistant chairman this year. Last year’s campaign collected $19.3 million in pledges.

Contributions support nonprofit health and human service agencies in the county.

Kontny, recently retired president and chief operating officer of Irvine-based Fluor Corp., said the county’s improving economic climate is making it somewhat easier for companies and their employees to support United Way. He noted, however, that “it’s a mixed bag” because many firms still are consolidating and downsizing.

Kontny said the county’s health and human service needs “are just as great, if not greater” than they were in 1993.

The campaign update was delivered at a sports-themed “pep rally” in Tustin Ranch on Thursday that featured a motivational “halftime” talk by former National Football League place-kicker Efren Herrera, a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Herrera, who became involved with United Way during his pro football career, said he tries to educate Latino professionals about how campaign contributions help meet the needs of local Latino communities.

The six-month campaign began Sept. 16 with the annual “Day of Caring,” an event that put corporate representatives directly in touch with 30 local charities, “so they could see what their dollars are doing,” United Way spokesman Jeff Urbaniec said.