Jim Riordan, president and CEO of WPS Health Insurance, took on the task of chairing the United Way of Dane County's 2008 fundraising campaign in a tough economic year because of the lessons his mother taught him about the need to help others, especially when times are difficult.

"I'm not intimidated," Riordan said. "I look forward to it."

But he's hoping the lessons he has gleaned over three decades in the health-care business will help the United Way of Dane County reach the 2008 fundraising goal it announced Wednesday of $16.65 million, primarily by increasing the number of people participating.

"We've seen that people don't stop giving when the economy is tough," said Renee Moe, United Way's vice president for resource development. "We've always gone up each year. But they do give more strategically. Because of progress and results we are seeing and can show, we're remaining optimistic."

However, United Way has pushed its goal of hitting $20 million back one year to 2011. And to get increased participation this year, it's enticing donors who give $25 more than last year by entering them in a drawing to win a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle.

Six years ago, the local United Way began directing the money it raised to agencies and causes that advance its seven-pronged Agenda for Change. This agenda targets specific areas of need in Dane County, including the homeless, minority student achievement, school preparedness and the uninsured.

Each August, the United Way of Dane County uses its Days of Caring as a launch pad for the three-month fundraising drive and highlights an area of its agenda.

The 2008 Days of Caring on Aug. 22, 26 and 27 will focus on supporting the independence of seniors and people with disabilities and their caregivers. The kickoff will be Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Warner Park, 1625 Northport Drive, with a free cookout for volunteers sponsored by Kraft/Oscar Mayer.

Volunteers at the luncheon will assemble caregiver kits with such items as pill sorters and magnifying glasses and on-site activities will give volunteers a chance to experience what it is like to live with limited mobility or vision.

More than 2,000 volunteers will work across the county on such projects as an "Extreme Garden Makeover" for a meditation garden for Independent Living clients, sprucing up homes of elderly residents or building ramps for disabled people.

United Way still hopes to recruit another 300 volunteers. Sign up as teams, families or individuals at www.unitedwaydanecounty.org or call Kayla Bechtel at 608-246-4384.