PRESQUE ISLE – The goal is $15,000 higher than it was last year, but officials with the United Way of Aroostook believe it is one they can achieve with the support of area businesses and residents.

The UWA recently held a kickoff breakfast for its 2007-08 fundraising campaign. Claudia Stevens, UWA executive director, said Wednesday afternoon that the agency hopes to raise $475,000 by June 30, 2008.

“That is up about $15,000 over last year,” she said. “We’re really in the initial stages of the campaign, but we are already at 12 percent of our goal so far.”

The UWA works to support The County’s most needy people. Money raised through its annual campaign supports local agencies that administer programs to assist at-risk youths, the elderly, homeless and many others.

This year, the person charged with leading the campaign to raise that money is Michael MacPherson of Presque Isle.

One of the organization’s most lucrative fundraisers has been Aroostook Idol, a singing competition that is a local take on the Fox TV show “American Idol.” The event has drawn a growing number of participants – and profits – each year.

Stevens said the fourth annual fundraiser is set to take place again in 2008.

“It will be back by popular demand,” she said. “Everyone seems to love it and it has been very successful. We plan to hold shows in Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton again.”

Stevens said that the Maine Mutual-United Way Golf Tournament, which took place in September at the Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield, pumped some of the initial dollars into the UWA’s coffers.

To learn more about how to participate in the fundraising drive, call the United Way of Aroostook Office at 764-5197.