United Way reaches 99 percent of campaign goal

United Way’s Pacesetter Chair Betty Brassell of First City Bank and Campaign Chair Walter Hooks of Regions Bank made the presentations to the campaign's top donors during a celebration of its 99.1 percent goal.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties reached more than 99 percent of its 2014 campaign goal, according to a spokesperson.

By Dec. 9, the campaign raised $1,176,371, even though it was about $48,000 short of the $1,225,000 goal. But as of Dec. 23, it reached 99.1 percent of the goal.

The following businesses received awards for early contributions: Carr, Riggs & Ingram; CCB Community Bank; City of Fort Walton Beach; First City Bank; MITRE; Northwest Florida Daily News — including the Crestview News Bulletin, The Destin Log and The Walton Sun; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; First City Bank; Target's Destin and Mary Esther locations; Regions Bank; Gulf Power Company; and United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties.

“I am thankful for all these companies that stepped up to be our Pacesetters and accepted the challenge to complete their campaign before Sept. 12 with a goal increase of 20 percent from the previous year," said United Way Pacesetter Chair Betty Brassell.

Publix is the United Way’s top donor, with its employee campaign raising $246,686.24 from all nine Okaloosa and Walton County stores.

Learn more about the campaign at www.united-way.org  or call 243-0315.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: United Way reaches 99 percent of campaign goal