With two-thirds of the collection period gone, fund-raising efforts for this year’s United Fund drive are proving slow.

Dwight Mikel, Covington County United Fund board vice president, said Thursday that $33,000 has been raised during the drive, which began Oct. 1. This year’s goal is $115,000.

“Our deadline is Oct. 31, so that means we’re a third of the way there and $33,000 is a good effort,” Mikel said. “The bad thing is that two-thirds of the drive is gone and we’re $82,000 short of our goal, that’s why it’s so important to give.”

Mikel said all the funds raised are distributed to local agencies, many of which depend greatly on its United Fund support.

“With the economy the way it is, it’s understandable why collections are slow,” Mikel said. “We really need everyone to make these donations. There are agencies counting on it. If you are able to give, if you have the means, dig a little deeper than you normally would and help out.”

The 2010 drive will fund the Covington County chapter of the American Red Cross; Impact of Covington County; Boy Scouts; Andalusia Ministerial Association; Girl Scouts; Covington County Adult Training Center; Covington County 4-H Clubs; Opp Meals on Wheels; Andalusia Youth Sports; Covington County Recreation Board; Opp Youth Sports; SAFE of Covington County; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Andalusia Community Christmas; Andalusia, Florala and Opp libraries; Florala EMS; Opportunity House; Crossover Ministries; Governors Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities; Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Center and the Opp Benevolence Fund.

United Fund encourages residents to contribute the equivalent of one hour’s compensation per month. Contributions can be mailed to CCUF, P.O. Box 1791, Andalusia, AL, 36421.