Several months of hard work and volunteering is about to come to a close for the Marshalltown Area United Way as its 2016 fundraising campaign begins winding down.

“We are at $745,000 right now,” said Marshalltown Area United Way Executive Director Nancy Steveson of the money raised thus far in this year’s campaign.

Along with general donations from the public, Steveson said United Way events helped contribute to the campaign. She said the charity golf tournament raised $6,200; Power of the Purse raised $15,000; and the “Got Talent?” talent show raised $21,000 this year.

With a fundraising target of $797,000 in 2016, Steveson said it’s unlikely the organization will meet the campaign goal.

“We know we’re not going to make (that) goal,” she said.

However, Steveson said it’s possible the organization can raise another $20,000 by the final deadline day of Jan. 9, 2017.

She said those funds are mostly being sought among individuals in the community, and she said those still wanting to donate can contact her via email as Christmas approaches.

Additionally, she said if a donor wants their contribution to count for a tax write-off for this year’s taxes, United Way must receive the money by Jan. 3.

Announced during a final campaign report luncheon this week were the 2017 campaign co-chairs and notable volunteers and institutions in the community that helped with the 2016 campaign.

“The new co-chairs for 2017 will be Marty Mitchell of Mitchell Family Funeral Home and Deb Mettlin of United Bank and Trust,” Steveson said.

She said current co-chairs Fauna Nord and Kelly Thurston, both of Coldwell Banker, will meet with Mettlin and Mitchell for a debriefing session and to begin planning the 2017 campaign.

After the new co-chairs are up-to-date, they are to begin meeting with Steveson to develop a plan, theme and goal for next year’s campaign.

“The volunteer of the year was Wendy Olinger … she handled the public school United Way campaign,” Steveson said. “She always volunteers.”

Additionally, the business of the year was announced at this week’s luncheon.

“The business of the year… was Marshalltown Public Library,” Steveson said, adding the library has been a leader in United Way campaigns for years. “All of their employees give to the United Way.”

She said she would challenge other community institutions to have a 100 percent participation rate among employees as the library has over the last few years.

“It’s that it’s a community effort and they try to be supportive,” she said, adding it’s the participation in the campaign that’s important, not necessarily the among each individual gives.

To contact Steveson about donating to the United Way campaign, email office@unitedwaymarshalltown.org or go to the organization’s website.