FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Believing that its $1,038,750 record high goal for 2009 can still be met by the first quarter of the new year, United Way of Baldwin County held its Campaign Celebration at Oak Hollow Farm on Tuesday.

When the Campaign goal was set in September, no one knew that turbulent times lay ahead for the U.S. economy. Yet, as of Tuesday, $727,125 had been pledged, or 70 percent or the Campaign goal.

Among those recognized at the Campaign Celebration was RBC Bank for topping all companies with over $39,000 in corporate and employee giving. Also, Baldwin County schools raised over $96,000 in the School Campaign through the efforts of Terry Wilhite, Joan Malone and United Way’s Lana Mummah.

Brenda Lee, president of the United Way of Baldwin County, encouraged everyone to turn in all company reports and pledges by the end of the month.

“We need all of the totals and then some to meet our 2009 allocations to the 47 Partner Agencies that the United Way of Baldwin County helps to fund,” Lee said.

Sponsors for the Campaign Celebration were Baldwin EMC, Gulf Publishing, Baldwin Mutual Insurance, Colonial Bank, First National Bank of Baldwin County, CenturyTel, BankTrust, Hancock Bank, Hutchinson Moore & Rauch Engineering, Kaiser Realty, Riviera Utilities, United Bank and Vision Bank.

This is Lee’s final United Way Campaign, as she announced her retirement earlier this year.