CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango United Way has surpassed the half way point both in the timeline for their annual fundraising campaign and in their progress toward this year’s financial goal.

On Friday, roughly seven weeks after the United Way kicked off the 2010 campaign with the annual “Day of Caring” event, CUW Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco reported that the organization, which raises and distributes money to local non-profit agencies and organizations, has reached 56 percent, or just over $262,000, of the $465,000 goal.

With 6 1/2 weeks remaining before their Dec. 31 cutoff, Campaign Director Bryne Lewis Allport admits that the money is coming in more slowly this year than they anticipated.

“Typically at this point in November we’re at 65 to 70 percent (of goal),” she explained.

The organization kept its fundraising goal flat this year, according to the campaign director, because they recognize that everyone is feeling the financial strain. At the same time, however, “the needs of the community are so great, we felt we couldn’t take a step back,” she said.