CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're looking for way to help someone in need this holiday season, the United Way of Greater Cleveland is asking you to make a donation.

The United Way of Greater Cleveland funds more than 200 health and human service programs. Thanks to donations, the United Way is able to serve more than 450,000 people across Northeast Ohio each year.

If current funding levels do not improve, some services may be in jeopardy.

United Way of Greater Cleveland President and CEO Michael Benz says compared to last year, donations are down significantly. "We project right now we could be between a million and a million a half dollars short."

Benz said this year's campaign goal is to raise $40 million.

"With the high unemployment, with the economy the way it is, we're looking ahead and saying we need to make a plea to the community because the need is so great," explains Benz.

Patricia Nobili is the executive director for the Achievement Centers for Children. Her agency is one of many local organizations that rely on donations from the United Way in order to operate. Nobili says they need funds to continue to provide for families and children.

"We serve 3,900 families and children a year and we have three different facilities. If we don't have the resources available, we have to turn children away and that is very painful to do," said Nobili.

Benz agrees saying, "We hope that people respond with the kind of heart that Clevelanders have always responded with."

For information on how you can make a donation, go to the United Way website http://www.uws.org/give.