For the first time in 10 years, the local United Way campaign will likely fall short of making its annual goal.

        With nine business days left before the Oct. 31 deadline, officials say they need $19 million to reach the $62 million mark. Put another way, they need to raise $2 million a day until Halloween.

        “It would be a real struggle,” Carol Aquino, United Way of Greater Cincinnati vice president of communications, said Friday. “It is not impossible, but it would be very, very difficult. It means a significant number of donors and corporate contributors increase their gifts.”

        This year the local United Way has raised $43 million - about 69 percent of the goal. Officials blame the slow performance on economy's downturn and fallout from the Sept. 11 attacks.

        Last year, more than $61 million was raised for a goal of $60 million.

        “We are really struggling to see new money,” Ms. Aquino said. “People really didn't think the market would stay down this long.”

        Campaign Chairman David Calhoun, president of GE Aircraft Engines, said that when he announced the $62 million goal on Sept. 3, he knew it would be hard to reach.

        “United Way's bottom line is a child who receives a better start, the youth who stays in school, the older adult who is able to live independently,” he said in a statement. “That hasn't changed.”

        The Greater Cincinnati United Way covers Hamilton, Clermont, Brown and Butler counties in Ohio; and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky.

        Ms. Aquino said other United Way campaigns are facing the same struggles. Decisions about cutting or reducing contributions won't be made until after the campaign has ended.

        The last time the local effort failed to reach its goal was in 1992, Ms. Aquino said, when it fell $633,000 short.

        E-mail ranglen@enquirer.com

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