Nineteen area businesses and organizations have taken the lead as “pacesetters” in the annual United Way of Douglas County’s fundraising campaign to top $1.58 million.

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self and his wife, Cindy, have helped co-chair the annual Pacesetter Campaign that ends Sept. 8.

This year, the United Way will accept donations in an attempt to provide funding for 26 agencies, include two more than last year: Success By Six and Lawrence Meals on Wheels.

The Pacesetter Campaign began Aug. 17.

“They just want to be the leaders and help out,” said Colleen Gregoire, United Way campaign manager.

Last year, the campaign raised $1.58 million, which is the mark to beat this year, Gregoire said.

The Pacesetter Campaign is designed to provide a jump-start before volunteers begin seeking donations from about 80 more organizations, plus small businesses and individuals.

At the annual campaign kickoff Sept. 12 at the Lied Center, volunteers will reveal how much the Pacesetters raised.

“At the kickoff last year, we announced that we had raised $365,000, and I just have this good feeling that we are going to announce a little more this year,” Gregoire said.

Richard and Debbie Konzem, members of multiple city and county boards, are the campaign co-chairs for the United Way’s 2006-07 fundraising campaign.

The Pacesetter organizations for this year’s minicampaign are Callahan Creek, Capitol Federal Savings, Cardinal Brands, Central National Bank, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Charlton-Manley Insurance, Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate, Commerce Bank, CornerBank, Douglas County Bank, Douglas County, Kansas University, Laird Noller Ford, Peoples Bank, Social Rehabilitation Services, Stephens Real Estate, U.S. Bank, Wal-Mart, and The World Company, which owns the Journal-World.