The fundraising campaign for United Way of Douglas County is “very close” to reaching its $1.72 million goal, but donations are still pending, a representative said.

“I’ve been reviewing what we have in and what we anticipate coming in, and I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Colleen Gregoire, United Way vice president and campaign manager. “We really need the support of the entire community to make this happen.”

United Way doesn’t yet have donation amounts from people who commute to their Lawrence jobs from Topeka and the Kansas City metropolitan area, Gregoire said.

Other donations are also expected.

“We have donors that usually make an end-of-the-year gift,” Gregoire said. “Even a small donation is important.”

There have been some success stories, Gregoire said. Kansas University surpassed $250,000 in contributions, an amount it had never raised before, she said.

Employees with the city of Lawrence exceeded their goal of $35,000 by raising nearly $42,000, Gregoire said.

Amount totals won’t be released until Jan. 14.

The campaign began in September.