The United Way of Douglas County announced Tuesday it raised $1.7 million during its 2013-2014 fundraising campaign, matching last year’s haul but still falling just shy of its goal of $1.8 million.

The United Way released the figures during its annual campaign celebration dinner at Maceli’s, where up to 200 volunteers, donors and community partners showed up to acknowledge what their contributions helped achieve, with no shortage of thank yous and awards distributed.

President and CEO Erika Dvorske lauded the final tally and said the slight shortfall would not have an impact on the programs or initiatives set forth by the United Way.

“(That amount, $1.7 million) is an amazing success for the community,” she said. “We’ll be managing with our reality. We’re going to continue to find great success.”

The funds were raised primarily from September through November, Dvorske said.

The United Way also provided the audience with booklets updating several of its initiatives surrounding three areas of focus — education, health and self-sufficiency.

Among other examples, the organization said collaborations with other institutions resulted in fewer unnecessary emergency room visits from guests of the Lawrence Community Shelter. Another included a pilot project with the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence to ensure low-income elementary students retained skills learned in school over the summer months.

“It is folly for us to think we can eradicate human suffering, and yet it is folly for us not to try,” said Amy Kelly, board chair of the United Way.

The United Way also welcomed four new board members to its 18-seat panel: Robert Day, of Westar Energy; Cindy Johnson, of TherapyWorks; Becki Carl-Stutz, of Lawrence Memorial Hospital; and Kathy Branson, of the Lawrence public school district.

Abby Schletzbaum, a student at Kansas University, also joined the board for a one-year student term.