The $1.5 million fall fundraising campaign goal announced Monday by United Way of Butler County is well within the county's ability to achieve.

With the official campaign kickoff set for Sept. 9, the big question is whether the will exists among companies, workers and others within the county to not only reach the targeted money figure, but surpass it.

In addition to testing the will of people here, the campaign also will be a test of how much the economy has improved.

Layoffs, plant closings and uncertainties within many aspects of the workforce have contributed to missed goals in recent years. Last year, $1.25 million was raised in a campaign aimed at raising $1.4 million.

People of Butler County have continued to hear pronouncements by federal and state officials that the economy has improved. Meanwhile, growth in Butler County isn't a matter of speculation; it is fact.

With that in place, a $1.5 million goal should be easy to surpass. Actually, even during the low point of the national economic downturn, this county still had the capacity to produce $2 million for agencies and programs that the United Way helps to fund.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Thus, United Way agencies weren't able to achieve all of the good for which they are capable.

This year puts forth a new opportunity for that to change. For workers, increased giving is possible simply by designating a more generous gift on their pledge form. Companies that have not heretofore conducted a fundraising effort on United Way's behalf can begin doing that this fall. A call to United Way's local office - 724-285-2260 - will provide all of the information necessary.

People wishing to make an advance campaign contribution can do so by calling the same number.

Butler County United Way is vigorously striving to make fundraising inroads on a number of fronts, including via its first Service Auction, which is scheduled for Sept. 9, the same day as the campaign kickoff. United Way has been re-energized by a forward-thinking attitude that is not content with the status quo.

Campaign fundraising can get much better, but it depends on the response of many people - those who have given in the past and those who haven't, those who have resided here in the past and those new to the county.

United Way is aware that not everyone can give a big gift; even small gifts are appreciated. Giving a couple of dollars each payday through payroll deduction is virtually painless for workers but adds up to a substantial figure by year's end.

The capacity for much generosity exists within this county. In the past, generosity has been demonstrated in many ways for many deserving projects and initiatives.

Six weeks from today, United Way giving should be on everyone's mind, allowing this worthy endeavor to achieve success far greater than what any previous campaign was able to muster.