When leaders of the United Way of Douglas County announced their $1.8 million 2009 Campaign goal this week, they already had good news to share.

Contributions by local Pacesetter organizations, KU’s Rock Chalk Revue and the Leadership Givers of the Spirit of Kaw Valley Association have already pledged 30 percent of the United Way’s campaign goal.

This percentage set a record.

“What it tells me is this community has done exactly what I hoped they would do,” said Scot Buxton, co-chair of this year’s campaign with his wife, Jane. “While people are somewhat pessimistic about the times that we’re in right now, people are finding ways through leadership gifts and the like to step up.”

“I’m confident we are going to reach our goal this year,” he added.

In addition to announcing the campaign goal and the record giving thus far, the United Way recognized KU Credit Union with the 2009 Pacesetter Super Star Trophy. The award recognizes the organization with the largest percentage increase in gifts from the previous year. KU Credit Union’s giving increased by 86 percent this year.

The $1.8 million campaign goal aims to raise more money in one year than the local United Way ever has.

“We set the goal higher because we checked with our agencies and across the board, all of our agencies are seeing more clients,” said Colleen Gregoire, vice president of the United Way of Douglas County and campaign director. “The need is greater now in our community than it ever has been.”

The campaign will go through Nov. 20. Last year, more than $1.7 million was raised. Contributions to the United Way are distributed to 24 local agencies that focus on three main areas: health; self-sufficiency; and family and children.

And the campaign hopes to raise awareness as well as dollars. Giving is important, but the advocating and volunteering are of equal importance, said Buxton, referring to this year’s slogan, Live United: Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

Rich Minder works as a collaborative programs coordinator at Success by 6, a United Way agency that helps families with young children.

“It’s a special time of year when we renew our commitment to one another in the community — to being together in this,” Minder said. “Each year, whenever the campaign starts out you really get a good feeling about what it means to be a member of a community.”