United Way of Butler County rightly points out that county residents' giving to national disaster-relief efforts, as well as other outside factors, were partly responsible for its fall 2005 fundraising campaign failing to meet its $1.5 million goal.

A total of $1.225 million was collected.

But what United Way has failed to actively address amid its explanations for fundraising shortfalls — not only in regard to last fall's campaign but also regarding previous campaigns — is how much the county's education community has been a disappointment in regard to the united giving effort.

Despite healthy pay raises virtually every year — by dollar amounts that are the envy of workers in many other sectors of the economy — most teachers and other employees of Butler County's school districts continue to ignore United Way's appeal, which helps fund human services provided by numerous local agencies.

While it must be acknowledged that no one is obligated to give to any charitable endeavor, it is nevertheless unfortunate and troubling that so many within the education community, by their decision not to give, deliver the message that United Way really isn't very important amid the challenges and needs facing county residents.

Of course, such an attitude is wrong.

Information requested by the Butler Eagle this week and provided by Leslie Osche, United Way executive director, gives a clear picture of one reason why United Way was unable to raise the additional $275,000 that it needed to meet last year's campaign goal — the same goal as this year.

Of the 2,514 people employed at five county school districts from which United Way pledges were received, plus Butler County Community College, only 174 contributed.

Those 174 employees' contributions totaled $18,752 — a respectable level of giving.

If the 2,340 employees who gave nothing had contributed at the same rate, or slightly higher than the 174 who did give, United Way could have nearly met its goal, or possibly surpassed it.

The breakdown of giving from the Butler County education community is as follows:

Butler County Community College, 191 employees, 53 donors, $7,706 contributed; Butler School District, 1,182 employees, 98 donors, $7,796 contributed; Mars School District, 173 employees, 15 donors, $2,085 contributed; Moniteau School District, 178 employees, two donors, $225 contributed; Seneca Valley School District, 511 employees, two donors, $90 contributed; and South Butler School District, 279 employees, four donors, $850 contributed.

There were no contributions from the Slippery Rock, Karns City or Freeport school districts. Those three could have helped put last year's campaign over its goal.

Osche said the Slippery Rock School District will be conducting a campaign on behalf of United Way for this fall's effort. That's commendable.

More emphasis on United Way giving should be made a priority in the other districts this fall.

Despite the education community's anemic response to United Way's needs in the past, that segment of the county's workforce is not totally to blame for United Way's fundraising difficulties.

The 82,534 working people living in Butler County represent annual earning power of up to $2.063 billion. Capturing just one-fourth of one percent of that total would bring in $5.158 million for United Way.

According to Osche, United Way of Butler County is capable of reaching between 16,000 and 20,000 donors with its current campaigns. However, the participation rate is only 3,258, or about 19.5 percent.

The average per capita gift to Butler County United Way through employee campaigns is $49. If all 82,534 county residents who are employed were to match that level of giving, the fall fundraising effort could collect $4.044 million for the benefit of member agencies.

What a difference that money could make, when compared to what $1.225 million is capable of achieving.

It is to be hoped that the county's school districts and the community college will strive to do much more during the campaign that currently is getting under way. Everyone giving just a little could make a big difference.

Bigger participation by the education community could increase the incentive for workers elsewhere to help.

It's true that United Way must strive not to offend anyone as it seeks support for its efforts. However, it is important for United Way not to ignore some of the local reasons for not reaching its goals as it focuses on the broader reasons, such as the local giving tied to last year's national hurricane relief efforts.

The education community has been a consistent underachiever for United Way. Fortunately, it has an opportunity to do much more.