Chilton County United Way has reached its fundraising goal of $200,000, board chairman Curtis Smith announced Tuesday. The announcement was met with a round of applause from the United Way board of directors.

The campaign officially ran from August through December 2009, but pledges were still coming in as of Tuesday.

“This hasn’t been exactly easy, but it hasn’t been as hard this time,” Smith said. “When more people are in need, it seems like more people are willing to give.”

Both Smith and campaign chairman Bobby Martin thanked all businesses, schools, churches, organizations and individuals for their yearly contributions.

Funds will assist the following agencies: Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center, Chilton County Humane Society, YMCA, Chilton-Shelby Mental Health, Red Cross, Rehab Center, Family First, Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, Mentoring Program, PEECH (Chilton Education Foundation), Habitat for Humanity, local public schools, Chilton Rescue, Freedom Forum, DHR, Toys for Kids, Operation: Santa Claus, Arthritis Foundation, Raleigh’s Place, and Special Olympics.

“With this money, we’ll be able to at least fund what we did last year, if our pledges come in like they should,” Smith said.

Proceeds from the Ninth Annual Billy Lawrence Memorial Gospel Singing, which was held Jan. 16, are expected to total more than $5,000 for United Way, Smith estimated.

Approximately 800 tickets were sold for the event, and proceeds also came from program advertising.

In other business, United Way has set Feb. 23 as the tentative date for its annual awards luncheon. The luncheon will be held at Clanton FUMC at noon.