United Way on Track to Reach $5.4 Million

One-third of the way into its shortened campaign, United Way of Ventura County has raised $474,344, a start that the charity’s leaders say puts it on track to reach this year’s $5.4-million fund-raising goal.

“We are still in the early stages,” campaign chairman Mike Silacci said. “I see some very positive signs.”

For the second year, United Way is conducting its campaign over 90 days instead of nine months. The condensed period is intended to sustain enthusiasm and ensure that the agency knows how much money it has before deciding how much it will spin off to charities.

This year, giving has been particularly strong among employee groups in the retail sector, charity officials said.

About 73% of workers at JCPenney in Ventura made pledges. Participation by Sam’s Club employees in Oxnard increased 581%.

Wallets also are opening at the county’s two Wal-Mart stores: 92% of the Oxnard store’s employees made contributions, with the Simi Valley outlet at 78%.

United Way Vice President Beverly Viola said people seem eager to give because they believe that the agency has recovered from years of financial trouble. A mounting deficit dating to 1993 left United Way $973,655 in the red for the 1996-97 fiscal year.

But a combination of belt-tightening, cuts in grants and better financial planning helped put the organization back on sure footing. President Sheryl Wiley Solomon announced earlier this year that the agency has eliminated its nearly $1-million deficit and would meet its funding commitments to 55 member agencies.

“Our fund-raisers are hearing very positive comments out there,” Viola said. “We have rebuilt. We are now in the black. I know this sounds like platitudes, but it’s good building on good. No one wants to answer the phone when we are in the red.”

Although the total collected so far is just one-tenth of the goal, Viola said she is not worried. The first million dollars comes in slowest as campaigns get underway and pledges trickle in.

By the time the campaign concludes Dec. 16, that trickle will have turned into a flood, Viola said.

“We are on target now,” she said. “I am encouraged.”

Volunteer campaign leaders gathered this week to report on early results. Pledges from manufacturing and technology companies total $244,117. Rockwell Science Center employees contributed $39,726 and the center made a corporate gift of $10,000.

Hospital and small business owners have contributed $85,764, and another $27,000 in pledges came from employees and executives of local insurance firms.

United Way has been raising money for nonprofits serving Ventura County’s poor, disabled and old for more than 50 years. Today, it funds agencies providing food for the poor, shelter for battered women, drug and alcohol treatment, job training and care for the elderly.

Although the umbrella agency has cut grants to member agencies by 30% in recent years, leaders of local charities say they still rely on United Way to help them provide services.