Photo by Jessica Stewart / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

George Clinton, right, celebrates as the grand total for the 2009 United Way Campaign is announced Thursday night at the victory celebration. The final total raised was $3,376,432.

As campaign chairman for the United Way campaign, Bill Severn knew this year was going to be a tough one.

But despite a bad economy, the United Way of Greater St. Joseph surpassed its $3.32 million goal. Campaign volunteers announced the agency’s final numbers at a victory dinner Thursday evening at the Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University. More than 200 community leaders attended the event.

The campaign raised $3,376,432, more than $56,000 above its initial goal for the year.

“I feel so proud of the community for recognizing that there is so much need,” Mr. Severn said. “It’s very rewarding, and the volunteers worked harder than they ever worked before.”

This year’s campaign, “Live United,” began on Sept. 3 and is an effort by the United Way to help support 18 partner agencies. The organization provides support to health and human service agencies, as well as sponsoring such community initiatives as Success By 6 and Profit in Education.

When volunteers weren’t presenting their campaign results, guests rushed the stage to play “The Price is Right.”

Tommy Hoffman was at the victory dinner to help with the entertainment by playing the television game. Mr. Hoffman, a game show fan, recently traveled to California to view a live taping of “The Price is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune.’ He is involved in adult education programs at United Cerebral Palsy, a United Way agency.

Campaign volunteers reported the following results: major employers, $1,947,942; large firms, $343,288; Eugene Field, $58,105; Pony Express, $52,831; Robidoux, $52,584; Lewis & Clark, $54,300; Patee, $52,010; metropolitan/business, $25,427; civic, $197,124; professionals, $47,521; medical, $121,385; higher education, $39,308; elementary and secondary education, $147,734; federal, $36,504; and individuals, $200,426.

Jennifer Hall can be reached

at jennhall@npgco.com.