A fundraising campaign update provided by United Way of Butler County last week provided a glimmer of hope about the prospects of raising an additional $200,000 to help member agencies meet financial needs over the next year.

Unfortunately, it was only a glimmer. If the $22,000 raised over the past week is an accurate indicator of what can be expected, United Way will fall far short of reaching this objective, with only about three more weeks remaining in the current campaign.

Such a shortfall would cut the amount of money that would be available to member agencies for existing or new programs, as well as the size of the United Way staff.

The inability to reach or exceed the campaign goal would be a shame, since this county clearly has the economic and financial resources to enable United Way to greatly exceed its annual goal without campaign volunteers having to go back to contributors to ask them to dig deeper — as they currently are doing.

If every adult in this county gave up the equivalent of a few lottery tickets a month, for example, and contributed that money to United Way, the agency would have little difficulty in making each campaign a resounding success.

The goal of the current campaign is $1.5 million — and that should not be a stretch for the size of the county's working population.

But judging from the overall progress of the campaign to date, that figure, without some significant shot of new generosity, seems beyond reach. Even the $1.27 million figure that United Way has set as an alternative objective remains in doubt, as the past week suggests.

Of the money raised since Feb. 25, when it was reported that $1.07 million had been collected to date, $20,000 arrived in the form of pledges from companies while the other $2,000 came from individuals.

This is an ideal time for the larger professional communities — including legal, educational and medical — to step forward to make a big, positive impact on the united giving effort.

People in these high-profile fields are capable of making significant contributions, as a group or as individuals, that will have a meaningful impact on the life of an individual or a family in Butler County. Instead of seeing the small payroll deduction amount or the single entry in their checkbook as a burden or sacrifice, they should see it as a blessing to be able to help someone else in need.

Most people in the county know someone, directly or indirectly, who benefits from the United Way and its member agencies. That in itself should be an incentive for people to look forward to the United Way campaign each year, rather than lament the fact that "someone else is asking for money."

The United Way's campaign might appear to be about money, but the money is just a vehicle to get help to people who need it.

It's worth noting that the money United Way does receive each year is put to good use, and county residents should base their giving decisions on the fact that the organization and its member agencies put every dollar donated to very effective and efficient use.

Donations in these final weeks of the campaign can be made by credit card online at www.butlerunitedway.org or by sending a check to Butler County 2007 Fund Raising Campaign, 325 New Castle Road, Bldg. 11A, Butler, PA 16001.

Anyone having questions about the campaign may call 724-285-2260.

It would be unfortunate if the good work to be funded by the remaining money being sought now ended up on the wayside because of indifference.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, the United Way's message will be heard by people who have not given before or who have lapsed in their giving — and there will be a 180-degree turn away from the clouds of doubt that now prevail.