For only the second time in the long history of the United Way of Door County, the organization raised over $500,000 from the annual campaign that just concluded.  The four-month campaign concluded on January 7 by collecting $551,492.  That number was just short of the record set last year of $563,860.  United Way of Door County President Grace Rossman says although they did not hit their goal of $600,000, the community will benefit greatly from the total donations. 

Over 30 agencies and programs in Door County are funded by the United Way every year, according to Rossman.  She adds the goal has a two-prong approach.   One is to prevent the factors that cause poverty and the second is to help people out of poverty.  Approximately 30 percent of residents in Door County reportedly live below or near the poverty line.