NORWICH – Staffers and volunteer board members of the Chenango United Way say they're pleased with the progress of this year’s campaign which serves as the single largest fundraiser for the local chapter of the nonprofit.

A small gathering was held at NBT Bank corporate headquarters before the organization’s cairn “thermometer” – which gauges the campaigns headway though the end of the year.

“Putting the first red indicator on the thermometer is always exciting, and we're very tankful to all who have supported the 2014 thus far,” said Chenango United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco, Thursday.

Last year's campaign raised over $420,000 in funding that was distributed to both philanthropic organizations and individuals in need throughout Chenango County.

In light of the diverse disadvantages that many of the county's poor are burdened with, the CUW's funding streams are more spread out than ever; covering the gamut from literacy and education to emergency prescription care and housing stabilization.

With a marked increase in the number of working families struggling to make ends meet as evidenced by an influx in local food pantries that regularly serve the working poor, the United Way's position as a community safety net is more apparent no than ever.

CUW forecasts that in 2014 it will see at one-half of one million dollars in funding requests from it's partner organizations who rely on funding from the United Way to continue offering vital services to the community.

“One of keys of raising funding is also raising awareness, many in the community are simply unaware of the struggle that a large portion of our community members are faced with,” said Monaco. “We hope that having the thermometer out there serves as a constant reminder to those who can give that it all adds up.”