ROCK HILL — The United Way of York County is counting on some last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers to help their make their fund-raising goal.

Decorated cakes, cookies and truffles from Pat-A-Cakes Bakery & Art Cafe are available today starting at 9:30 a.m. at the United Way’s office, 226 North Park Drive, Suite 100 in Rock Hill.

The minimum donation is $25. In addition to the baked items, purchasers will also receive a decorated vase featuring long-stemmed roses.

Pat-A-Cakes was asked to donate the baked goods because they have always been a strong supporter of the United Way, said Lora Holladay, the agency’s community investment director.

“Lora asked, and I said I’ll do anything you need,” said Karen Quinn, owner of the bakery.

The Valentine’s Day sale is the beginning of the United Way’s “70 Days of Caring” campaign. The spring campaign and the Valentine’s sale are firsts for the United Way, Holladay said.

The “70 Days of Caring” campaign came about because the United Way is celebrating its 70th anniversary of helping York County, Holladay said.

The campaign’s goal is to raise $70,000 between today and April 25.

Overall, the United Way of York County hopes to raise at least $1.4 million. That’s what the agency raised last year to meet the needs of its 32 partner agencies and its eight internal programs.

“We are still seeing significant increases in need throughout the community,” Holladay said. “Our partner agencies’ programs are stretched to the limit. We feel we must make this big final push.”

The Valentine’s Day event is one of a number of small fundraisers during the campaign. United Way volunteers also will make the rounds of companies that donate and visit people and companies who have not followed through on the pledges.

Don Worthington •  803-329-4066