The holiday season is a time for giving, and many of the community's service and charity organizations are very active this time of year, but economic uncertainty is likely to take its toll on spending, and some local groups are wondering if that will also translate to fewer donations.

Organizations like the Salvation Army and the Cayuga County Community Action Agency are heavily dependent on personal donations to provide services. As times tighten, wallets often follow, which could leave these groups with lower resources when there is more demand for their services.

One of the largest local organizations is the United Way of Cayuga County, which is in the midst of its annual fundraising campaign. According to the United Way Web site, the organization is about half way toward reaching its $1.38 million goal for 2008.

But Executive Director Gail Homick said this week that the organization is not immune to downturns in the economy.

“Obviously the economy is having an effect on the campaign,” said Homick. “But the Auburn community is very generous and really rallies to support the United Way when they can.”

The Salvation Army's annual kettle drive is one of the most visible fundraising efforts every year during the holidays, with volunteers ringing bells in front of retail outlets. According to Dennis Cregan, commanding officer for the local chapter, between 40 and 60 percent of the organization's annual budget comes from the kettle drive.

“In these economic conditions, we understand times are tough,” said Cregan. “It's going to be harder, and we also have an increase of people needing rental assistance or mortgage assistance in their homes.”

This year, he said, the local Salvation Army has set a goal of $46,000, which would be between $3,000 and $4,000 more than last year's earnings.

“We're always hopeful,” Cregan said.

The organization has started a bit

earlier than normal with the drive to help reach that goal. Usually, 12 kettles are set up in front of retailers around the area the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year, there have already been some kettles at a few locations to help get an early jump on things.

Cregan said Salvation Army representatives are also hoping the tough times bring the spirit of giving out of people.

“It may be close. It may be tight. But people don't want to see people hurting,” he said.

A volunteer for another local charity organization said she would like to see people focus their giving locally as they prioritize their funds. But Carolyn Moore of the Christmas Elf program said she still expects donations to be down and applications to be up.

The Elf program already has received 200 applications, which is more than a third of last year's total. And so far this holiday season, the program has received four donations, though that number does not count various donations during the fall and carryovers from last year.

Formed more than 20 years ago, the Christmas Elf program is run by the Cayuga County Community Action Agency, giving new, donated toys and clothing to children from needy families.

“We have great concerns (about donations), but we won't know until we come right down to the deadline,” Moore said.

Efforts like those by Christmas Elf are important, Moore continued, especially those that serve families.

“(Children) are the future of our community,” she said. “If some of the fortunate people can help some of the unfortunate ones, I think it is the right thing to do.”

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net