With much applause and fanfare, United Way of Freeborn County announced it had raised $503,161.

Saturday, February 09, 2002

With much applause and fanfare, United Way of Freeborn County announced it had raised $503,161.43 -&160;surpassing its 2001 fund-raising campaign goal by over $3,000.

Over 100 representatives of area businesses and human service organizations attended an awards celebration and luncheon on Friday. Many received awards for their fund0raising achievements.

&uot;We are all here to support the human service needs of this community,&uot; said Steve Waldhoff, president of the United Way of Freeborn County’s board of directors.

Jean Eaton, executive director, helped organize the celebration as a way of building momentum for next year’s campaign.

&uot;We want to create some excitement for next year’s campaign, and bring an awareness of the need for the United Way of Freeborn County and what it does,&uot; Eaton said.

Later on Friday, United Way volunteers passed out free popcorn to shoppers at Hy-Vee and Rainbow Foods.

Pam Bishop served as this year’s campaign chairwoman, and she introduced David Bonnerup, who will serve as chairman of the 2002 fundraising campaign.

Originally scheduled to be held at the Guest House Restaurant, the celebration was moved across the road to the Budget Host Inn after an unexpected power outage. Staff from both businesses cooperated to make the change as problem-free as possible, said Carol MacRae, manager of the Budget Host Inn.