United Way to discuss economy

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 11:34 PM Saturday, December 12, 2009

FAIRFIELD — Butler County United Way officials will be serving up an update on campaign progress with a side of economic news at its annual progress-to-date celebration breakfast.

The event, to be held Friday, Dec. 18, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Receptions on Boymel Drive in Fairfield, normally includes a campaign update, but is adding a presentation on the economy to help explain some of the issues the United Way is having collecting funds this year.

Campaign supporters Stephen P. Wilson, CEO of LCNB Corp., and Claude Davis, president and CEO of First Financial Bank, will head a 45-minute discussion on the economy and then open up for questions, said Nancy Nix, Butler County treasurer and chair of the United Way campaign.

Nix said unemployment, business closings and financial issues with some contributors has left the agency short of its $2.45 million goal.

“We’ve been struggling so much because of the economy, and the economy seemed the reasonable topic for this progress-to-date celebration,” Nix said.

Raising money for the campaign has been a trial since its launch Sept. 11. As of the end of November, officials from the United Way were anticipating a shortfall up to $500,000, which could result in steep cuts to the United Way and the agencies it serves, said Maureen Noe, president of the United Way.

“We’re not done, that is why it is a celebration of progress. Today we are behind, but we are turning over every stone we can find,” said Stephanie Raker, executive assistant to the United Way president.

Tickets for the breakfast are available for $15 and may be bought in advance by calling (513) 863-0800 or visiting the United Way’s Web site at www.bc-unitedway.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.

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