The United Way of Scotland County hoped to put an end to its 2012-2013 fundraising campaign by Monday, but the organization has $40,000 yet to raise before considering its goals accomplished.

The campaign, chaired by Emerson Veler, began in August. In October, a $66,000 donation from employees of the Maxton Campbell’s Soup plant brought it to 30 percent of its $210,000 goal. To date, United Way has raised $170,000, which will be distributed among 19 nonprofit organizations in Scotland County.

“In a perfect world, the United Way could provide all the money each nonprofit needs, allowing them to concentrate fully on helping the community,” said Debbie Grant, executive director of United Way of Scotland County. “The United Way makes no profit from the money we raise. We are merely a fundraising service to the nonprofits in our community. If United Way didn’t exist, then the agencies would have to spend more time fundraising and less time doing what they do best: fulfilling their mission.”

The Scotland County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Cape Fear Council Boy Scouts of America, Church Community Services, Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center, Friends of Scotland Enterprises, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, In as Much, Scotland Community Health Clinic, Scotland County Firefighter’s Association, Scotland County 4-H, Scotland County Humane Society, Scotland County Literacy Council, Scotland County NAACP ACT-SO Youth Council, Safety Town, Scotland County Senior Games, Scotland County Special Olympics, Scotland Family Counseling Center, and Scots for Youth all benefit from United Way funding.

“I do realize times are hard and money is tight,” Grant said. “Our nonprofits are also seeing decreased donations but their services are needed more than ever. No matter how big or small, every donation is very important.”

Last year’s campaign raised $200,000, up from $193,000 in 2010-2011, but monies raised still pale when compared to where they were in past years. In 1998, $590,000 was raised. A decade later, funding had fallen by nearly 60 percent to $230,000.

“Although Scotland County has lost a lot of industries whose support was tremendous to the United Way campaign, our community still has the same or greater needs,” said Grant. “Our local charitable agencies are working harder with tighter budgets to help those in our community.”

Last year’s goal was not met until February 2012, and United Way will again work as long as needed to secure funding for the nonprofits it supports.

“We’re still $40,000 away from our goal, but we’re still waiting on the hospital and hopefully some individuals’ donations,” Grant said. “We’ll sweat it until we get it.”