United Way comes close to reaching goal

The final tally of donations to the United Way of Roosevelt County for the 2003 campaign was $60,600, money that will go to roughly a dozen local agencies.

The 12 volunteers for the United Way of Roosevelt County met on Monday and determined there would be no more campaigning for funds, President of the United Way of Roosevelt County Rick Hauptmann said.

Throughout the year the 12 volunteer members are assigned to different community areas and each member focused on raising money from that area, Hauptmann said.

“We assign volunteers to different businesses and they make calls and presentations to the businesses,” Hauptmann said. “We have three members of the ENMU faculty and one from the Portales public schools. We discuss where we have had success in the past and focus on those areas.”

The money allocated will be reviewed by a budget committee and the money will be dispersed to the appropriate agencies. Agencies such as the Community Services Center, Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity. The money is dispersed to the agencies in increments, according to Hauptmann.

“Most of the money we receive goes to senior meals,” Antonia Encinias, community services center fiscal officer, said in an interview two weeks ago. “The state cut funding for our home care and the adult day care programs. The money (from United Way) helps compensate for the state cutting funding. It helps give our clients service.”

The goal for the United Way of Roosevelt was $70,000. It was the same goal last year when the non-profit organization fell short of its 2002 goal, also. United Way of Roosevelt treasurer Everett Frost said that the amount was at $56,567.25 as of Dec. 17. Since then, they were able to raise enough money to push the total over $60,000.

“We’re disappointed that we didn’t reach the goal this year,” Hauptmann said. “We’re hoping that if anyone still wants to make a contribution they can.”

Even though the campaigning is over with, donations can be sent to P.O. Box 231 in Portales.