The local United Way of Palm Beach County has some lofty aspirations when it comes to fundraising this year.

The United Way of Palm Beach County, 2600 Quantum Blvd., announced that the organization has a goal to raise $13.8 million this year. The $13.8 million is 8 percent more than what the organization raised last year.

The need for an 8 percent bump in funding comes from last year’s economic struggle, which caused a 5.8 percent cutback to its many agencies last year.

Chuck Anderson, United Way of Palm Beach County CEO, said with the United Way helping out so many agencies, they feel a strong responsibility to close that funding gap that shrunk last year.

“Demand for the services from those organizations are up 84 percent and two-thirds of them can’t meet those needs,” Anderson said.

One such organization that is hoping this year’s campaign is a success is the Lord’s Place in West Palm and Boynton.

Diana Stanley, executive director of the Lord’s Place, a United Way-funded agency, said the recession hit them rather hard last year but that the nonprofit stayed true to its work helping the homeless.

Stanley said donations to the United Way of Palm Beach County would help to prevent programs that help people in need from being shut down.

Stanley said in her experience with the nonprofit world, the worst times for people are usually when they reach down deep in their pockets to help organizations like the Lord’s Place.

In addition to the United Way’s workplace campaigns, people can make donations online via the organization’s Web site at www.unitedwaypbc.org.

United Way of Palm Beach County’s campaign video can be found at , which demonstrates the needs in the community.



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Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.