United Way of Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties is less than $10,000 from reaching its top tier stretch goal of $500,000 for the 2009 community campaign.

Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties have reached 98 percent of their collective $500,000 goal, with $490,474 brought in to date. This unit is led by North Georgia Advisory Committee chairman Chandler Peeples, CEO of Container Corporation, and North Georgia campaign chairman Leonard Fant, a north Georgia community volunteer and long-time Catoosa County resident.

“We’re paddling hard to finish strong in the campaign’s last few weeks so north Georgia can succeed in meeting its $500,000 goal for the 2009 campaign. Our campaign staff and volunteers are working hard to wrap up a few remaining employee campaigns. We’re also telling folks it’s not too late to give, since the campaign has been extended to Jan. 31. North Georgia’s response to our 2009 campaign has been fantastic, and we have just a little further to go to put the finishing touches on it,” said 2009 North Georgia Campaign Chairman Leonard Fant. “The huge increase in calls to United Way’s 2-1-1 Resource Center, especially since the cold snap, reflects the need of north Georgia residents. There were approximately 5,754 calls from north Georgia to 2-1-1 in 2009, which is a 107 percent increase over calls from north Georgia to 2-1-1 in 2008. These needs have drained many of our partner agencies’ resources, explaining our urgency to meet the 2009 campaign goal.”

Committee members urge anyone who hasn’t been given an opportunity to contribute to the campaign to consider making a donation. Because of the challenges caused by the economy this year, United Way’s community campaign has been extended and gifts can be received through January 31, 2010. For more information about the 2009 campaign, contact United Way’s senior vice president Linda McReynolds.

To make a financial contribution, organize a worksite campaign, or volunteer through United Way, contact 423-752-0300 or visit www.LiveUnitedWCD.org. Send mail-in donations to United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties at P.O. Box 4027, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

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 greater Chattanooga, north Georgia and northeast Alabama. Additionally, all undesignated funds raised in north Georgia through United Way’s annual campaign will stay there, ensuring that north Georgia residents will directly benefit from local dollars contributed to the campaign.