United Way organizers in Adair County say they are hopefully optimistic about their fundraising goals this year. A slow economy and fear of job insecurity helped to keep the United Way short of their $275,000 goal they set last year. The hopeful optimism they show leads them to set the exact same $275,000 goal for this year, too. United Way Executive Director Nancy Pennington says that even though there is more need this year the group can meet their lofty goal.

"Already our agencies are seeing greater needs than they ever have before a lot more people need assistance with utilities and with food and things like that."

Even Kirksville is hurting more than usual after a devastating tornado early this year and an unsure national economy. Truman State United Way co-chair Joe Hamilton says that even with the added need this year the group will still be able to raise the 56-thousand dollars it wants to contribute to the Adair County goal. All funds raised will go right back into the community to help local charities. © Copyright 2012, KBIA