By 9:30 p.m., Sunday March 2, the 1975 Archdiocesan Charities Drive had reached 91% of its $300,000 goal. "It was a lot harder this year and more parishes than ever before failed to make their goal on the day of the Drive," Father Jerry Hardy, Chancellor, said.

In its seven-year history, the drive has never missed the dollar target set for it. "By the end of the week, as parishes finish their calls, I believe most of the remainder of the money will be in hand at the parishes, but there will certainly be less overage than in the past," Father Hardy continued.

A total of $278,601 was collected by Sunday night. Of that, $271,527 was toward the goal amount of $300,000. The other $7,074 represented overage to be retained by the 20 parishes that had exceeded their goals as of Sunday night. The remaining 24 parishes either made their goal exactly or missed it.

"Despite the difficult times, as has always been the case, a really great effort was made by the parish chairmen and pastors. Certainly the economic situation was a factor in this year's drive. But, by next week, I feel confident the parishes will have completed their follow-up calls and have us right up at the $300,000 mark," concluded Father Hardy.