So far $480,594 or 96 percent of North Georiga’s $500,000 goal, has been raised during the 2009 Community Campaign for United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties. Area corporations, small businesses and individual donors have contributed to help support services provided in these counties.

The campaign has had tremendous support from several area companies including Gateway Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Shaw Industries, Roper Corporation and the Walker County School System. Many campaigns are still in progress, such as North Georgia Healthcare Center, Catoosa County Schools and Dade County Schools.

Two new companies in North Georgia that have joined the campaign are the City of Rossville and Crystal Springs Printworks. They are in addition to North Georgia Healthcare Center and Family Resource Agency of North Georgia, which are also new to North Georgia’s 2009 Community Campaign.

“North Georgia is responding well to United Way’s requests, despite a weak economy, and I’m pleased that funds will continue to come into this community to help our local citizens,” said Leonard Fant, chairman of the 2009 Community Campaign for United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties. “But we still need the good people of North Georgia to come out and help get us over the top. I want everyone to know, it’s not too late to donate.”

United Way urges anyone who hasn’t been given an opportunity to contribute to the 2009 campaign to please consider making a donation now. Financial contributions can be made by contacting United Way at 423-752-0300 or www.LiveUnitedWCD.org. There is also still time to organize an employee giving campaign by calling the number listed here.

United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties funds local programs that create opportunities for people to care for themselves and each other, making our community the best at helping people achieve their potential. Thanks to an endowment fund that covers all overhead and administrative expenses, all contributions (100 percent) go directly to services that help individuals and families in the greater Chattanooga area, north Georgia and northeast Alabama. And unless donors designate their gifts outside North Georgia, all funds raised in North Georgia through United Way’s annual campaign are used in North Georgia to ensure that residents will directly benefit from local dollars contributed to the campaign.

Call the United Way at 423-752-0300 for more information, or call 2-1-1 (1-866-921-3035 in Georgia) if you or someone you know needs help this holiday season or at any other time.

The United Way supports Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties in North Georgia through programs at the following agencies:

American Red Cross - Disaster and emergency services and services for the armed forces

Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Mentoring services for children and youth

Catoosa County Communities in Schools - Home visitation and parental education for pre-school children

Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block - Life skills education for children in schools

Cherokee Area Boy Scout Council - Youth development and leadership skills

Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians - Youth development and leadership skills

Walker County 4-H - Youth development and leadership skills

Family Crisis Center - Legal advocacy for domestic abuse victims

Four Points - Supervised visitation for families

Lafayette Area Empty Stocking Fund - Holiday help for people in need in Walker County

Orange Grove Center - Services for people with mental and physical disabilities

Partnership for Families, Children and Adults - Services for the deaf

Primary Health Care Center of Dade County - Oral health education and services

Speech and Hearing Center - Speech and audiology services

Salvation Army - Emergency assistance

Tri-State Food Pantry of Dade County - Emergency food for families in need