The annual community campaign for United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties has reached 53 percent as it moves towards its $650,000 goal.

Mary Carpenter, campaign chair for the fund drive in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties, announced that pledges totaling $344,160 have been received to date in this year’s campaign.

The funds raised by United Way’s campaign go to support health and human services programs at the following 15 local United Way partner agencies that provide services in Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catoosa County Communities in Schools, Kids on the Block, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Walker County 4-H, Family Crisis Center of North Georgia, Four Points, Lafayette Area Empty Stocking Fund, Orange Grove Center, Primary Health Care Center of Dade County, the Speech and Hearing Center, the Salvation Army, the Tri-State Food Pantry, and Partnership for Families, Children and Adults.

"This community in the North Georgia region is outstanding," said Mary Carpenter, 2012 Campaign Chair for North Georgia. "With the economy the way it is, people still give – and they give from their hearts, which enables us to help so many outstanding United Way-supported programs. United Way is here for North Georgia and I am very proud to be associated with it. The best part is that all funds raised in this area stay in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties."

Local residents and businesses in North Georgia are still encouraged to get involved if they haven’t already. If you want to make a personal gift to the United Way, you can go online at www.LiveUnitedWCD.org and donate electronically. If you’ve never donated to the United Way before, please consider making a gift.

United Way in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties funds local programs that create opportunities for people to care for themselves and each other, making this community the best at helping people achieve their potential. Because of an endowment fund that assists with overhead and administrative expenses, all contributions (100 percent) from this area go directly to services that help individuals and families in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties. Unless donors designate their gifts outside North Georgia, all funds raised in North Georgia for United Way are used in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties. Local residents benefit from local dollars contributed to the campaign.

Call United Way at 423-752-0300 or go to iveUnitedWCD.org for more information or to donate.