Only a little more than a month remains in the United Way Step Up Challenge sweepstakes, which offers the chance to win a 2008 Dodge Avenger donated by Massey-Yardley Chrysler Dodge.

The deadline to enter the Step Up Challenge is March 7, with the car to be awarded on March 27 at the United Way of Martin County’s annual Champions of the Community awards dinner at the Hutchinson Island Marriott.

People 18 and older are eligible to enter the Step Up Challenge by making a donation of $52  -- which amounts to a dollar a week -- to United Way. It could be a new donation or an increase over the past year’s donation.

“We had a terrific response last year, with 1,390 entrants,” said Lucy Corley, United Way director of development. “All those additional donations added up to $72,280 in support of dozens of vital programs that improve people’s lives.”

United Way aims to double the amount of entries this year, with greater awareness of the sweepstakes as well as longer period to enter. The March 7 deadline for entries is about three months longer than last year.

Increasing the amount of donations is more important than ever, as needs in the community escalate. People are facing rising costs and unemployment, and as a result, requests for emergency assistance are outpacing available resources. For example, United Way agencies report that requests for food assistance are up 44% over last year, financial assistance by 38% and clothing by 20%.

United Way of Martin County has set a goal of $2.3 million for the year and is 60 percent toward that total with about two months to go.

United Way is using many strategies to reach that goal, and the Step Up Challenge is an important component of that drive.

An entry form and more information about the Step Up Challenge is available at www.unitedwaymartincounty.org or by calling (772) 283-4800.