The United Way of Dawson County is grateful for the community support that helped the organization nearly reach its 2009 campaign goal despite the economic downturn.

The campaign raised $86,744, or about 80 percent of its goal of $109,000. The money will be used to improve the lives of local residents through partner agencies.

“As you all know, the economic climate we are living in isn’t typical and is something that we haven’t seen in quite a while,” United Way board member Taylor Wallace said during the organization’s luncheon March 11 at Appalachian Community Bank.

Wallace expressed gratitude to the board members who worked on the campaign.

“Without them [board members] and without our contributors, our number would be zero,” he said.

The partner agencies include, among others, the Northeast Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, Challenged Child and Friends and the Dawson County 4-H, Family Connection and Mentoring programs.

For the third year in a row, the Kroger Company was the top campaign contributor, donating more than $16,000 to the cause.

“We couldn’t be any luckier to have them [Kroger] in our community,” Wallace said.

Jay Walker, manager of Kroger on Hwy. 400 in Dawson County, received a plaque in recognition of the company’s support.

“He [Walker] does so many things behind the scenes for United Way in helping make sure the money that was donated stays in Dawson County,” Wallace said.

In its six-year history, the United Way of Dawson County has raised more than $370,000 for local health and human resource organizations.

Newsom Cummings, president of the organization, said the campaign was made possible by the dedication of those who contributed money, time or both.

Cummings added that a fundraising campaign often is not a success unless someone makes it his or her own.

“That person that made this campaign work, without being asked, was Taylor Wallace,” Cummings said.

Other organizations that were among the top contributors were Dawson County Schools, Nordson Company, First Citizens Bank of Georgia and Chestatee State Bank.