Team spirit dominated United Way’s first progress lunch for its 2008 campaign, as more than 200 volunteers in attendance created cheers to promote the campaign.

There was reason to celebrate with a total of $1,358,238 raised to date, representing 38 percent of this year’s $3.55 million goal.

Campaign chair, Curt Kretzinger, said the true motivation for campaign success came from the people in the community whose lives had been improved by United Way-supported services.

Campaign volunteers reported the following results: major employers, $963,260; large firms, $73,163; Eugene Field, $12,150; Pony Express, $10,519; Robidoux, $23,815; Lewis & Clark, $3,000; Patee, $16,074; metropolitan/business, $15,387; civic, $67,050; professionals, $22,920; medical, $42,850; higher education, $12,712; elementary and secondary education, $10,390; and individuals, $84,948. The metropolitan/business division, with 61.5 percent, won the prize for reaching the highest percent of goal.

Adding to the festive atmosphere were performances by Central Jazz Band under the direction of Chad Lippincott and by members of the Missouri Western State University cheerleading squad.

The next progress lunch will be held at Ramada Inn on Oct. 23. The sixth-annual United Way benefit dinner hosted by La Dolce Vita Restaurant will take place on Oct. 28. Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased by contacting the United Way office.

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph provides support to 18 local health and human service agencies as well as sponsoring such community initiatives as Success By 6 and Profit in Education. The United Way campaign will conclude with a victory dinner at the Ramada Inn on Nov. 6.