Bill Graham/The Meridian Star United Way of East Mississippi’s board of directors were on hand for Wednesday’s announcement that the agency surpassed its annual fundraising goal of $1 million.

The community not only made good on its goal of raising $1 million in the United Way of East Mississippi’s latest fundraising campaign  – it surpassed its target.

The Red, White & U,” campaign, which started last July, raised $1,028,437, United Way officials announced Wednesday. The money will benefit programs in Clarke, Kemper, Neshoba and Lauderdale counties. The previous year $939,500 was raised.

Campaign chairman Scott Stevens said the drive’s success was a group effort.

“The generosity of the community never ceases to amaze me,” Stevens said during the announcement at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian. “The United Way of East Mississippi would not be as successful as it is without the support of everyone who has contributed their money, their time and their effort.”

Pacesetter chair Angela Payne credited local companies and businesses for their support of the campaign, telling the crowd, “They really established themselves as forces of nature.”

Sara Odom, the organization’s vice president for resource development and communication, said the amount is the most the agency has ever raised. She’s been with the United Way for seven years, and has seen the campaign grow over time.

“Over the years, we’ve added companies, and gained individuals’ support,” she said. “We’ve added programs that people are passionate about, like Stuff the Bus, Imagination Library and Power of the Purse.”

“Each year year, momentum builds,” Odom added. “We’re hoping we can move forward from here. This number has to get larger, because the number of people we serve gets larger.”

This campaign year, the agency is supporting Best Early Education Practices; Boys and Girls Club; Choctaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Care Lodge; Feed by Faith; LOVE’s Kitchen; Hope Village for Children; Foster Grandparents; Meals on Wheels; Camp Eagle Ridge; Davidson Shelter; Salvation Army; Meridian Freedom Project; Free Clinic of Meridian; Illuminations Center for Dyslexia; Wesley House; and Habitat for Humanity.

Maj. Glenn Riggs, of the Salvation Army, said the United Way helps his agency offer services it might not be able to offer otherwise.

“It helps to have the additional funds we get,” he said. “It means we can say ‘yes’ many more times than to say ‘gosh, we’re out.’ It’s a tremendous blessing.”

United Way also sponsors in-house Community Impact Programs run by volunteers: Stuff the Bus; Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Familywize Prescription Discount Program; State Health Insurance Assistance Program; Imagination Library; Income Tax Preparation Program; Emergency Food and Shelter Program; and United Way East Mississippi Volunteer Center.

There are several ways residents can support United Way. The agency’s motto is, “Give. Advocate. Volunteer.”

People may give through payroll deductions or individual donations.

Those who want to participate can also become United Way of East Mississippi advocates by sitting on the agency’s board of directors or a committee.

Residents can also serve as volunteers for one of the Community Impact Programs or for any of the nonprofit agencies United Way supports.

To learn more about United Way of East Mississippi, visit www.unitedforunitedway.org.