The United Way campaign in Clermont and Brown counties has reached 26 percent of its goal, and officials think they will meet their goal even in the face of a difficult economy and a public distracted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        The 2001 United Way campaign in both counties set a goal of more than $1.7 million, which is close to $82,000 more than the $1.63 million raised in the 2000 campaign. Officials have received commitments for more than $445,000. The campaign this year ends Oct. 25.

        “I think we're off to a very good start,” said David Szkutak, chairman of this year's Eastern Area campaign and president and chief executive officer of Corning Precision Lens in Union Township. “Obviously, we have a difficult year with the economy. We had concerns even before the (terrorist attacks).”

        Some United Way campaign officials are concerned about whether the attacks will affect the ability of people in difficult economic times to support those relief efforts and local United Way campaigns.

        But some point out that agencies served by United Way include the Red Cross, which is prominently involved in relief efforts, as well as local agencies offering counseling services for people who may have been affected by the trauma of Sept. 11.

        Child Focus Inc., for instance, a Clermont County United Way agency, offered counseling services to adults wishing to talk to children about the attacks. Called “Disaster and Crisis,” the program was well-received, said Tara Dawson, a spokeswoman for Child Focus, which offers a variety of counseling, case management and crisis intervention services.

        “It's certainly a concern of United Ways,” Ms. Dawson said. “But a lot of the social services that United Way does are a year-round thing. There's poverty, there's social needs every single day. When a large-scale event like this happens, it's wonderful to see the nation pull together and donate money. But there are local needs as well.”

        The United Way in both counties helps fund nearly two dozen agencies in Clermont and Brown counties, as well as other agencies in Greater Cincinnati that serve residents of both counties.

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