FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The old holiday adage to give is to receive could not ring truer for the United Way of Baldwin County and the 44 agencies it supports this season.

Amidst a tumultuous economy, the need of United Way of Baldwin County is greater than ever as agencies across the county step up their services to offer support to those struggling, Executive Director Rebecca Byrne said.

“About half of the people coming into (the agencies’) doors are new people,” she said. “Clearly these are people who have never come in the doors before and they’re people who have lost their jobs, who have never had to ask for help.

“They’re finding the shoe’s on the other foot.”

The UWBC’s annual fundraising campaign began in September and was capped off by Symphony by the Bay, an annual event held Dec. 13.

Byrne said she was pleased by the results of the event.

“It was one of the most successful we’ve ever had in 17 years,” she said.

And while Byrne said she anticipates more pledges to continue to come in through the remainder of this month and does not yet have a final tally, she said the UWBC will more than likely not reach its $1.1 million goal.

“It’s the highest goal ever,” she said. “The board deliberately went up on the goal because we knew the needs were greater than ever.”

She said the total may fall as much as 25 to 30 percent short of the projected goal, which is based on the individual agencies’ requests for funds made in June.

So not only are the people of Baldwin County facing a greater need, but the United Way is, as well.

“This has been one of our most difficult years,” Byrne said. “This has been an incredibly challenging year.”

However, UWBC received a monetary boon of $331,395.49 from a lawsuit settlement in July.

“It was manna from heaven,” Byrne said of the largest single donation to UWBC in its history.

And earlier in the year, the United Way was able to allocate $30,000 to its emergency aid shelters — North Baldwin Ecumenical Ministries, Catholic Social Services, Ecumenical Ministries, Family Service Center-Bay Minette, Christian Service Center and Community Action Agency of Baldwin, Escambia, Clarke, Monroe and Conecuh counties.

These agencies are responsible for providing emergency assistance, such as food, utility assistance, shelter and home repair, to individuals and families in need.

So while United Way has its success stories of 2009, it still is looking ahead to a tough 2010.

Next month when all funds are accounted for, the United Way will allocate the collected funds to each of the 44 agencies, but given the economic climate and need for assistance in the area, Byrne said fundraising and campaigning will not stop there.

She said it’s a cruel twist of irony that while collections are down, the needs of those have increased. As a result, Byrne said, the United Way is having to step up its fundraising efforts.

And one of those efforts is reaching out to new donors, whether individual or within a company.

“The companies we have, have been faithful supporters,” Byrne said, but added there is a need for more.

“If everyone gives a little, it adds up to a lot.”

Byrne said UWBC and its board is attempting to plan more countywide fundraising events throughout the year in the same vein as Symphony by the Bay.

“I would like for the United Way to have a presence all year round,” she said.

An event is in the works for the beginning of the new year, she said, though it is still too early to announce just what it may be. Byrne also said she and the board hope to plan another event for the spring, all to compensate for the area’s increased needs.

A push for more volunteerism is also a part of the game plan, especially with regard to future fundraising events.

“The world goes around through the use of volunteers,” Byrne said. In fact, she said this year’s Symphony by the Bay ran smoother and was therefore more successful due to doubled volunteer participation. “Volunteers make all the difference.”

Finally, Byrne said the United Way itself is working to be more streamlined and reduce overhead to cut back on its overhead costs. Byrne said cuts have been made administratively within the office and UWBC is turning to more electronic communication.

And so with a changing and new economy comes a changing and new United Way approach.

“We’re going to have to be more creative, more innovative,” Byrne said.

But even as the economy struggles and the game plan changes, Byrne is keeping the faith.

“The people of Baldwin County are very generous.”

Donations can be made to the United Way online at www.unitedway-bc.org.

All donations are kept in Baldwin County, Byrne said, and are distributed evenly among the agencies, though specific donation requests can be made.