After three years of essentially flat fundraising totals from its annual workplace campaign, United Way officials are rightly seeking a modest increase for 2011, one that a study indicates the county should be able to afford.

Northeast Indiana residents have a long and proud history of rising to the challenge when neighbors and strangers face emergencies and extraordinary needs. United Way helps with those, too, but more often addresses the more common yet serious needs of residents. United Way focuses on programs that serve low-income families and, especially, their children.

If more Allen County workers would help – even just a small amount – the results would be dramatic.

The United Way of Allen County studied other communities of similar size and demographics and found that a typical workplace campaign raised $25 to $30 per resident. Allen County’s total is just $13.

Yes, the economy is in the doldrums, but it was little different in other communities the study included.

One step that would produce significant results would be for companies that do not participate in the workplace campaign to give their employees the opportunity for payroll deduction of United Way contributions. It’s much easier for workers to donate a small amount each paycheck than a lump sum. Surprisingly, the companies that do not participate include some of the city’s best known.

The study also points to the need for United Way itself to examine its own practices. With a new CEO expected to be hired soon, that will certainly be one of the top priorities.

United Way remains an efficient and particularly effective method for workers to contribute to charity. United Way staff and dozens of volunteers weigh the community’s needs and the effectiveness of programs that address those key needs – an examination few people are able to do in depth.

This year, United Way money helps support 63 specific programs and 37 agencies – programs that directly address some of the community’s most serious needs.

This fall, many employers already plan to give workers the opportunity to contribute to the campaign. Those who don’t should reconsider their lack of participation and help United Way reach its modestly higher goal.