Bryan, Ohio - October 19, 2007 - The United Way of Williams County has surpassed the $100,000 mark and is currently at $124,099 or 34% of its $365,000 fund-raising goal, officials announced Friday.

"We are so pleased that Williams County has responded so well to our appeal," said Cindy Castor, co-chair of Campaign 2007.  "While we have reached the one-third milestone, there is still a long way to go to reach our $365,000 goal."

Chris Malanga, Chief Executive Officer, noted that several campaigns have completed with increases over last year.  Among them: Isaac Property Company ($20,800 - an increase of 33%), employees of the Bryan Times ($3,977 - an increase of 21%), employees of Andres O'Neil and Lowe ($18,158 - an increase of 10%), employees of Williams County Public Library ($1,967 - an increase of 7%), and Bryan Ford Lincoln Mercury ($5,244 - an increase of 4%).

"We still have many campaigns that are in progress, and some of our major campaigns that have not yet begun," stated Malanga.  "We hope that these campaigns will happen soon, as we would love to wrap things up by Thanksgiving."

Dollars raised in the 2007 Campaign will benefit the 32 partner agencies of the United Way of Williams County.  As an integral part of the community, United Way of Williams County is specifically involved in programs that care for people in crisis, empower families, help our kids to grow, and promote health and well-being.

For more information about the United Way, or to learn how to run a campaign, please contact the United Way at 419-636-8603 or visit the web site at www.unitedwaywc.org.

United Way has been serving the entire community since 1994 - Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Holiday City, Montpelier, Pioneer, Stryker and West Unity.  Last year, more than 14,000 people were helped through a United Way program or service.  We focus on the areas of caring for people in crisis, empowering families, helping our kids grow and promoting health and well-being.