The United Way team for 2011 didn’t simply meet this year’s goal—they surpassed it by more than $50,000.

“We want to thank all of our contributors to the United Way campaign and hope everyone will continue to donate to an organization which contributes so much to the partners in St. Clair County,” said Stephanie Bain, United Way chairwoman for St. Clair County.

Bain said this year’s fundraising goal was $200,000. The St. Clair County team raised $253,191 this year, $75,000 more than last year.

“I think people were more willing this year to let us come into the businesses and industries and talk with their employees,” she said.

Bain said the team members made personal contact with numerous businesses and industries last summer, thanking them for past contributions and asking if United Way representatives could do employee campaigns at that business or industry.

“Most of them participated,” she said. “And we also made contact with new businesses and industries who also allowed us to come in the fall. Hopefully, we will do that again this year.”

Team member Cledith Fisher said she had the benefits of United Way during her career with Camp Fire USA.

“I worked for Camp Fire USA, which was a partner of United Way and helped send St. Clair County kids to camp,” she said.

Fisher said after retiring, she volunteered as the loaned executive for the St. Clair County United Way campaign for the past two years.

“I’ve lived here 25 years, and I knew St. Clair County had grown,” she said. “But until I visited and toured the county, boots on the ground, I didn’t realize how much it had grown.”

Fisher said with growth comes the growth of everything—including the number of people who need assistance.

“I saw how people in this county support this,” she said. “Because of the generosity of people in St. Clair County, we have met those needs. The needs will probably be greater next year, but our county is very generous and supportive.”

The United Way St. Clair County team for 2011 included St. Clair County chairwoman Stephanie Bain, attorney Laurie Henderson, Pell City Mayor Bill Hereford, Bobby Hathcock and Michael Barber with the Pell City School System, Carrie Leland with YWCA, Matthew Pope with Metro Bank, Marry Ellen Wills with Red Diamond, United Way advocate Davis Worley, Randy Mason with CenturyLink, David Gray with the St. Clair County Day Program, Arin Billings, relationship manager with resource development and Cledith Fisher, loaned executive.

Bain said the top 10 contributors who allowed United Way to come into their business and talk with employees and contributed greatly to the 2011 campaign include Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Publix, Red Diamond, Royal Foods, Pell City Board of Education, Riverside Refractories, St. Clair County Schools, Metro Bank, Ford Meter Box and Andritz.

Bain said United Way partners with local programs in St. Clair County include the American Red Cross, the Arc of St. Clair County, Boy Scouts Greater Alabama Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, Christian Love Pantry, Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama, The Literacy Council, Pell City Needy School Children’s Fund, St. Clair County Children’s Advocacy Center, St. Clair County Day Program, St. Clair County Department of Human Resources, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham and YWCA of Central Alabama. Lakeside Hospice is also a partner that can receive designated funds.

Bain said more than $300,000 goes toward St. Clair County programs.

“I want to thank my team for all of their hard work and dedication to our mission, and I want to especially thank all of the people who work and live in St. Clair County for opening their hearts and giving in such a time of need, and of economic hardship,” she said. “This shows me how blessed we all are to be in such a loving community.”

Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.