By Fred Gaboury

People's Weekly World

The first week of the 2001 drive is over and we are $6,833 closer to achieving our pledged $250,000.

There were some interesting developments last week and all, to a greater or lesser degree can be duplicated in other areas.

Eileen and George, two readers from Buffalo, sent in the whole enchilada - $300 each from their tax rebate.

Readers in New Jersey collected $715 in less than a week from a letter sent to readers and supporters.

Southern California sent in $2,000 - half of it raised from longshore workers.

David Elsila, former editor of UAW Solidarity, spoke at a PWW picnic in Detroit and helped raise $1,951 despite dodging the rain showers.

So we collected some $6,800 and we've put it all in the bank. As a matter of fact, we've probably spent it - that's why we've asked you to raise a quarter of million dollars between now and December 1. And that's why we want to express some concern about the pace of things.

If we are to complete the drive in time we have to raise $20,000 a week, every week until December 1. That's three times $6,800.

True, we piled up a hefty cushion before the drive began. But cushions are a lot like surpluses - and we all know what happens to surpluses! We simply have to maintain the pace.