The United Appeal for Athens County has concluded its 1999 campaign with record breaking digits. The organization raised $198,714, $28,000 more than its goal.

"While everyone was excited last year when we exceeded our goal for the first time in 10 years, to break all records this year is truly a dream come true," said United Appeal Executive Director Skip Logan.

United Appeal is a non-profit organization that raises funds for 15 different social and human service agencies in Athens County including the Athens County Red Cross, The Salvation Army of Athens, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Athens County. All of the money United Appeal raises stays in Athens County.

United Appeal kicked off its 1999 campaign in September of 1998 with the Campaign Pace Setters payroll deduction.

The Pace Setters group consists of major businesses, as well as Ohio University.

The payroll deduction is a plan in which employees can agree to have money deducted from their paychecks and then donated to United Appeal.

"We got to decide what we wanted to donate from every paycheck. I decided to do it because I'm helping people. I think that this is definitely a good idea," said Athens Wendy's Assistant Manager Susie Triplett.

"The 'Wendy's Buck-A-Week Club" also has been a really big success. Employees could give a dollar a week through payroll deduction to the campaign," Logan said.

Giving a dollar a week resulted in each person who participated giving $52 a year. Anyone who donated at least $52, whether it was through payroll deduction or priva te donation, was awarded a discount card that entitled them to 10 percent off of their purchases at area Wendy's restaurants, Logan said.

"A lot of people signed up for this program because of the motivation to get this card. It is nice to get something in return," said Athens Wendy's Owner Stephanie Harris. "This program was set up to reward people who were giving to the community. The program went over really well."

Campaign 2000, chaired by OU President Robert Glidden and his wife Rene, will kick off this fall, according to a news release from United Appeal.

"Right now the outlook is good for next year if the economy stays strong," said Angela Anderson, United Appeals Board of Trustee member.