FORT WALTON BEACH — The United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties' annual fundraising campaign is 40 percent closer to a higher $1,225,000 goal.
The 11.6 percent increase was driven by requests of the United Way's 42 partner agencies.
“To help us reach this aggressive goal, United Way received help from its first-ever Pacesetter Campaign under the leadership of Betty Brassell from First City Bank," Walter Hooks, vice president of Regions Bank and the 2014 campaign chair, said. "We had 13 companies who conducted and completed their annual workplace campaign before the official campaign began Sept. 13."
2014 Pacesetter Companies included:
•City of Fort Walton Beach
•Carr, Riggs & Ingram
•CCB Community Bank
•First City Bank
•Fresh Start for Children & Families
•Gulf Power Company
•Hancock Bank
•MITRE
•Northwest Florida Daily News
•Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
•Regions Bank
•Target: Destin and Fort Walton Beach locations
The United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, a nonprofit, provides leadership and resources to those in need. It particularly serves causes associated with education and youth, financial stability and disaster support, and health and wellness.
The fundraising campaign ends Dec. 1.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: United Way 40 percent toward fundraising goal