By Jillian Bannister
Buffalo, NY – The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County is pushing for more donations with just two weeks to go in its Community Care Campaign.
Using HSBC Arena as a backdrop Monday, United Way President Arlene Kaukus said more than 12,000 new donors have contributed so far. She said that's a number that could fill the arena's 100 and 200 level seats.
Although she's pleased with the support, Kaukus acknowledged it falls short of the goal of attracting 20,000 new donors. She says with recent county cuts, donations are more important now than ever.
"Because of the current county budget crisis, so many critical health and human service programs are getting cut," Kaukus said. "The programs being cut are not extras, especially for the families, children and seniors who count on them."
Kaukus says the United Way has raised nearly $17 million since launching the campaign last August.