By Rebecca Gannon KWCH 12 Eyewitness News KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

3:18 p.m. CST, November 12, 2010
(HUTCHINSON, Kan.)—

Money is tight for many people these days - and that means charities are struggling this holiday season.

The United Way in Reno County does not expect to meet it's goal this year of $1.3 million even though it met last year's goal.

You can hear the laughter spilling out of the room, through the closed door.  Inside, several senior men are taking shots on pool tables -- and each other.  Making each shot takes skill, and a little luck.  Most days, the men sharpen their inner pool shark at Hutchinson's Elmdale 50 Plus Center.
    
The sound of bingo echoes across the hall. Inside, about 20 people sit with bingo cards in front of them, listening intently to the letters, numbers, and jokes the Bingo Caller says. Making a line on these cards takes a little less skill, and a lot more luck.     

Both activities keep the senior citizens active and engaged, which helps keep them healthy. It is just one place the United Way of Reno County helps.

These days, the United Way is the one who needs the help. It doesn't think it will reach its $1.393 million fundraising goal, an increase of 10.6% from its $1.26 million goal in 2009.  

"The needs did go up significantly last year," said Tona Turner, the executive director of the United Way of Reno County. She said the $1.26 million goal "represented a 15.5% increase from the previous year - and this community met it." And if the United Way doesn't meet its $1.393 goal, that means less money for agencies like Elmdale Fifty Plus.
     
"It makes it more difficult to secure staff for programs," explained Hutch Recreation Center's Toyla Frondorf, "to secure volunteers for programs, and to offer our programs." Her office sits between the Pool Hall and Bingo Hall. She says the camraderie the seniors get at the center helps them  - with both better mental and physical health.

We caught up with Toyla Frondorf as she dropped off donations to the United Way's Hutchinson Office. In her hands she held several envelopes. Many more sat on the desk next to her.
     
Each one of the envelopes contain money -- or a pledge for money -- to keep a total of 33 agencies in Reno County open, and affordable.  Getting more donations will take both skill and luck.

"The second year," said Tona Turner, "the year following the year when a recession starts -- is the tougher year typically. 56  
     
But with donations down and the needs up, 2011 resources will be stretched thin. The United Way, and its benefactors, stress every little thing can make a difference.

"If everybody just gives just a little bit," said Toyla Frondorf, "that makes a big difference. You don't have to give a lot, just be consistent."

United Way programs across Kansas are wrapping up in the next week -- so they can start counting and allocating the money. But the official campaign doesn't end until January 31st.  So if you want to donate and haven't yet, you still have time.