United Way for Dawson County will kick off its 2011 fundraising campaign Friday with a Day of Caring.

Dozens of volunteers from area businesses will meet for breakfast before heading out to local organizations, like the Dawson County Senior Center, NOA and Reading Education Association of Dawson County (READ) to assist with needed projects.

"We have a group that will be doing some yard work and cleaning gutters for NOA and another group that will be painting a testing room for READ," said United Way Chairwoman Sue Seldomridge.

Volunteers will also help prepare meals at the senior center and assist Dawson County Park and Rec in preparation for a fundraiser dinner.

"Right now, we have between 50 and 60 volunteers signed up from various businesses that have put together teams," Seldomridge said.

The morning of volunteerism will be followed by a luncheon to announce the group's 2011 fundraising goal.

United Way for Dawson County raised more than $101,000 in 2010, a more than 16 percent increase from collections in 2009, despite the current economic situation so many are facing.

"We are just continually amazed at the generosity here in Dawson County," Seldomridge said. "And all of this money stays here and helps Dawson County."

United Way supports 13 partner organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Rape Response, Challenged Child and Friends, and WEE Books, among others. Allocation recipients are considered early each year and funds are distributed each spring.

The luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Community and Southern Bank's conference center in downtown Dawsonville.

For more information, call Seldomridge at (706) 216-4602.