United Way's 2006 campaign falls short, but exceeds last year

12/7/2006

The United Way of Greater Toledo has ended its fund-raising campaign by besting last year s total for the second consecutive year, but fell short of its overall goal, officials announced today.

The 2006 campaign raised more than $13.6 million, compared with more than $13.3 million raised in the 2005 campaign. The 2004 campaign raised more than $12.3 million.

The last time United Way had two consecutive campaigns of increased giving was in the 1990s, agency officials said.

The agency, which serves Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood counties, announced a 2006 goal of $14 million when it kicked off the campaign in September.

Despite great increases at a number of companies, we fell just short of our $14 million goal, Bill Kitson, president and chief executive officer of United Way, said in a statement. However, United Way still has much to celebrate, including the number of lives that will be changed because of the generosity of our community.

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