Even though United Way set its goal lower than last year, the agency is still about $80,000 short of its $490,000 goal at the end of its campaign.
But Thyra Hammond, executive director of the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John, said she expects more money to come in even though the campaign has officially ended.
She said employee campaigns usually account for about 50 percent of funds raised, according to Tuesday's Independent. And Hammond thinks there is still about $25,000 out there in employee contributions.
The United Way goal for 1998 was $490,000, down $10,000 from 1997. The agency has collected $408,466 so far.
Agencies funded by the United Way include the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Civil Air Patrol, Downstreet People, Catholic Charities, American Red Cross, Shaky Acres, Dial-A-Ride and the Victim Advocate Program.
Hammond attributed the outcome of the campaign to a variety of factors -— Hurricane Georges and general concern about the economy among them.
Hammond said she hopes to have met the $490,000 goal by March when the annual victory party is held.