After helping guide development in western Lawrence and teaming up to lead an $8.1 million capital campaign for Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Beverly Smith Billings is embarking on another project: one for building community.

As chairwoman for the upcoming annual campaign for the United Way of Douglas County, Billings will be out front recruiting volunteers, organizing strategies and generating donations to benefit two dozen partner agencies, ranging from the American Red Cross’ Douglas County chapter to The Willow Domestic Violence Center, formerly known as Women’s Transitional Care Services.

During the coming weeks, Billings will be busy assembling a cabinet of at least 21 leaders, who in turn will sign up another 280 volunteers to inform people about community needs, organize events to spur community support and, ultimately, generate donations of time and money to help meet the needs of the community itself.

“I’ve often thought that we are not a particularly wealthy community, but we are a very giving community,” said Billings, who is chairwoman of Alvamar Development Corp. and has been president of Alvamar Realty Inc. since 1991. “We are hopeful that this year, just as in years past, that the citizens of Douglas County will again be there to be helpful and be supportive.”

The financial goal for this year’s campaign will be established in June or July, Billings said, to be followed with a Pacesetter campaign beginning in August. The communitywide effort will start in September and continue through the end of the year.

Last year’s campaign, led by Scot and Jane Buxton, generated $1.76 million, but Billings is quick to caution that this year’s goal won’t necessarily be higher, even as agencies face increasing needs.

“We have to be realistic about what’s possible — certainly in Douglas County, and certainly considering the times,” she said.