It was a celebration on January 24 at Mary Macs McCormick Woods, as the United Way of Kitsap County announced at its Victory Celebration luncheon the charity had exceeded its 2001 fundraising goal during the 64th annual campaign.

This year $1,666,500 was raised, surpassing a goal of $1.6 million and raising 10 percent more than last year. According to Executive Director Barbara Stephenson, the total represents a new fundraising record.

“We kicked off this campaign just days before September 11,” stated Stephenson. “When that tragedy struck, no one knew exactly how people would respond. What we found was a tremendous outpouring of support, not only in response to the national tragedy, but also to help strengthen our local community. We are very enthusiastic about the impact these funds will have on the children, women and men of Kitsap County.”

The funds raised will help respond to critical community needs, including emergency food and shelter for families in crisis, childcare for low-income families, health services for the uninsured, youth enrichment programs, life-sustaining services for seniors and the disabled, and many others. United Way of Kitsap County provides funding to 29 local organizations.

Each year, the organization relies on the efforts of volunteer “Loaned Executives,” the support of local businesses, and the generosity of thousands of individuals to raise money to meet priority community needs.

“We had an excellent team of Loaned Executives sharing the United Way story at businesses around Kitsap County,” commented Stephenson. “Their efforts made all the difference.”

Those Loaned Executives and the companies sponsoring them were honored at the Victory Celebration as well as some of the county’s largest employers for the generosity shown by their employees and the businesses themselves. They included Johnson Controls, Harrison Hospital, Kitsap County, Central Kitsap School District and Costco. In all, 57 businesses were recognized for significant giving increases among their employee groups. Eight businesses joined United Way as new community partners, running United Way campaigns for the first time.

For more information about supporting the United Way, call (360) 377-8505.