United Way of Butler County has witnessed the generosity of many since its current annual fundraising campaign began last fall.

Unfortunately, with just about four weeks remaining until the campaign ends, United Way is in need of still more generosity if it is to meet its — and member agencies' — needs.

The anticipated $200,000 shortfall is not something about which county residents can feel a sense of satisfaction — especially since this county has the financial wherewithal to enable United Way to not only meet its goal but far exceed it.

Actually, the ability to garner only $1.07 million is an embarrassment for a county that has experienced so much economic growth over the past couple of decades.

If a majority of Butler County residents were to give even a minimal amount from each pay — the equivalent of a single lottery ticket or two soft drinks a week — the United Way could raise more than double its current goal. The human needs in the county are clear. But the financial ability to address those needs also is clear.

The county has experienced some economic setbacks along the way, but the influx of new enterprises in recent years has brought new potential United Way giving sources with the capability of helping the agency meet or exceed its $1.5 million goal.

That means $430,000 is needed to meet the goal; $200,000 is needed to fund member agencies and services without cuts.

As explained, if the campaign does fall short, venture grants totaling about $44,000 will suffer the first cuts. Those are grants for new or improved program services, especially for newly identified needs in the community.

Next would be United Way internal cuts, reducing the agency staff from its current complement of four full-time employees and one part-time worker. The extent of the possible cuts is uncertain.

After making those cuts, any remaining shortfall would be resolved by making across-the-board reductions to core member agencies such as Lifesteps and the YWCA — programs and services United Way has funded for more than four years and that are considered fundamental to the community.

Leslie Osche, United Way executive director, said the root of her agency's money problem is that not enough "new" dollars are being found in the county, meaning that as some funding sources are no longer available for whatever reason, those dollars are not being made up by people and companies that are new to United Way giving.

United Way's volunteers have been working hard since the kickoff of the current campaign last fall. Now, in an effort to eliminate the shortfall, campaign officials and workers are revisiting homes and businesses in the county with the hope that additional contributions will be forthcoming — especially from those who are not current givers.

But it would seem that making up a shortfall of $200,000 at this late date — not to mention $430,000 — will be difficult without a significant "digging-deeper" on many fronts in the county.

Checks can be sent to United Way of Butler County 2007 Fund Raising Campaign, 325 New Castle Road, Bldg. 11A, Butler, PA 16001. Donations can be made by credit card online at www.butlerunitedway.org.

Information is available by calling the United Way at 724-285-2260.

Generosity is the foundation of United Way, not only in terms of the money it raises but also in terms of the many services it makes possible to county residents in need.

County residents and businesses should not feel comfortable being out of the loop in terms of what United Way is able to accomplish. Unfortunately, too many in this county continue to defy that expectation, even though they have the financial resources to do otherwise.

An 11th-hour rescue is in order.