The “glass” on this thermometer charting the progress of the United Fund campaign might appear to be nearly full as it sits outside Reeves Community Center Wednesday. But more donations are needed to reach the $515,000 goal.

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As the United Fund of Surry winds up its solicitations for another year, officials are hoping last-minute donations push the campaign over the top.

The 2012-2013 drive has achieved 90 percent of its goal, according to Beth Pequeno, United Fund executive director. The magic number is $515,000, with about $465,000 pledged so far.

Money raised will support 26 vital organizations in the area, including rescue squads and other emergency agencies and those that supply assistance to the poor such as food.

When updating the campaign’s progress earlier this week, Pequeno said she and other members of the United Fund team are trying to stress the importance of what’s at stake with reaching the $515,000 mark.

“It’s not just an arbitrary goal,” she said. “If we don’t make this goal, we are going to have to reduce payments to our agencies.”

They include the local unit of the American Red Cross; Armfield School-Age Care; the Mount Airy, Dobson and Pilot Mountain rescue squads, along with the Ararat and Blue Ridge squads in Virginia; Meals on Wheels; Boy and Girl Scouts; Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care; the Surry Arts Council’s Special-Needs Program; Surry Domestic Violence;

Also, the Reeves Community Center scholarship program for children and disabled adults; Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Salvation Army; the Shepherd’s House, a facility for the homeless in Mount Airy; the Gallery Group and Art Studio; Charles H. Stone Memorial Library; the Children’s Center; Surry Friends of Youth; Surry SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now); Surry Senior Center; Webb-Southern Carroll Community Center; and Yokefellow Ministry.

Each agency is reviewed annually and financial allocations are made from the United Fund according to the agencies’ needs and their impact on the community. They are especially dependent on United Fund donations from the public due to federal assistance being constantly cut.

Pequeno is optimistic that the $515,000 goal will be reached by the time the 2012-2013 campaign wraps up later this month.

“I’m hopeful, but it will be tough to make,” she said.

Contributions can be mailed to United Fund of Surry, P.O. Box 409, Mount Airy, NC, 27030.

“Of course, they can donate online,” Pequeno said of another avenue available to local residents via the organization’s website at www.unitedfundofsurry.org.

“It’s just one more option.”

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@civitasmedia.com.