From left, Michele and David Johnson, United Way of Douglas County campaign cabinet volunteers, visit Wednesday with Karen Warner, who was the campaign co-chairwoman with her husband, Chuck, at the United Way of Campaign Celebration. The estimated campaign total for 2007 was .72 million.

There was a cause for celebration for all the volunteers, businesses and employees who exemplified the theme of the 2007 United Way of Douglas County’s fundraising campaign.

Their monetary generosity and efforts helped the United Way of Douglas County exceed their financial goal by $720,000.

Campaign co-chairs Chuck and Karen Warner announced the grand total, $1.72 million, at the Eldridge Extended on Wednesday night. The total was a 5 percent increase over last year’s announced results of $1.63 million.

The couple thanked and recognized the hundreds of businesses, volunteers and United Way staff who contributed to the success of the campaign, called “It takes all of us.”

“This year it seems it does take all of us to make a difference,” Chuck Warner said.

Colleen Gregoire, campaign manager, said 99 percent of the funds raised stay in Douglas County to help fund agencies that provide services to those in need.

“It helps them tremendously,” she said. “The percentage of United Way funding for various agencies varies from 10 percent to 40 percent of their budget. It can make quite a difference to some of our agencies.”

Kelly Evans, director of Trinity In-Home Care, said United Way funding enables the agency to provide services for people who “can’t afford other options.” She served on the United Way campaign board last year to help raise money for agencies such as Trinity, which provides assistance to people of all ages and to caregivers.

“It’s emotional for me because I see first-hand what those dollars mean,” she said.

A two-year Community Impact grant was awarded to the Skill Builders Program. Skill Builders is a series of educational and support programs for widows, widowers and their caregivers. The program began in the spring. Lawrence Public Library, Douglas County Senior Services and Visiting Nurses Association are sponsors of the program.

The last grant was awarded in 2006 to the GaDuGi Safe Center’s Wednesdays at Liberty Hall after-school program.

Area businesses also were awarded for their employee contributions. Several businesses such as the American Red Cross, Landmark National Bank and Headquarters Counseling Center had 100 percent employee participation in the campaign. Hallmark Cards Inc. and The World Company, which owns the Journal-World, were “trailblazers” for their leadership contributions in the campaign.

According to Gregoire, the projection for this year’s total is based on contributions received to date. Gifts are yet to be announced from a few business campaigns and other United Way offices that forward the donations that commuters designate to Douglas County.

Judy Wright, director of Kansas University’s Chancellors Club, was named the next fundraising campaign chairwoman.