These days, you can hardly log onto the Internet without coming across a video of people dancing in costume doing the “Harlem Shake.”

The United Way of Hall County used the popular Internet motif Thursday afternoon to announce its annual celebration and volunteer recognition that it reached its 2012 campaign goal.

The brief video showed a man in a chicken suit shaking a tail feather and holding a sign that read $1,805,000 — $5,000 more than the campaign’s goal.

The United Way is a nonprofit organization that helps provide funding for 16 service agencies in the community. Its office is at 527 Oak St. in Gainesville.

Philip Wilheit Jr., campaign chairman, said the goal amount was raised at the last minute on Tuesday.

He thanked the many volunteers and businesses that gave their time and money to help the nonprofit reach its goal.

The top 10 company campaigns were recognized. Publix Supermarkets was at the top of the list for donating $240,500.

“We are so grateful to the community for their support and look forward to being able to invest these resources to our mission of improving lives,” said Jackie Wallace, president of the United Way of Hall County.

All of the money raised in Hall County stays in the community. The celebration event was paid for by corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations.

Elizabeth Umberson, United Way of Hall County board chairman, told the audience of hundreds at the Gainesville Civic Center about the nonprofit’s accomplishments in 2012.

She talked about the success of the Healthy Beginnings Partnership, a program that aims to improve the health of children up to age 5. And about how the nonprofit was able to provide $10,000 worth of school supplies to students in need.

In addition to reaching out to more local businesses for donations, the organization teamed with Hollywood 15 Stadium Theaters in Gainesville for Film and Food for a Cause in September. The $9,000 raised that night benefited United Way.

The organization also participated in the first ever statewide day of giving called Georgia Gives Day in December.

She praised both Gainesville and Hall County schools for their involvement as well. Students were charged with coming up with their own ideas for campaigns. Gainesville High School hosted a successful Live United Football Game.

The Hall County School System was also recognized as being one of the top 10 company campaigns; it raised more than $69,000.

“I’m very excited about the school systems getting children involved with the concept of philanthropic giving and participation,” Wilheit said.

The United Way presented its Chairman’s Award to two companies, Gainesville City Schools and Regions Bank, for demonstrating campaign excellence and whose support has extended beyond the annual campaign’s giving. Gainesville City Schools raised just under $40,000. Regions raised almost $30,000.

This year’s campaign theme was Live United, with the message that though everyone may be different, they’re united in improving lives of people in Hall County.

The two chairmen repeated their appreciation for the efforts of volunteers and businesses over the past year before passing the roles on to the 2013 chairmen.

Umberson passed her gavel to Kelly Mathis Lee, the 2013 board chairman. Wilheit handed David Abee the first dollar of the new campaign.

Wilheit said raising the campaign funds this year has been a tiring but fulfilling experience. He encouraged others to get involved with the nonprofit.

“You get out in the community and you see people and know they’re going through hard times, but they are still willing to give a dollar to help someone else who is in worse shape,” Wilheit said. “I wish they knew what it’s like to get involved. It’s a great feeling to be involved in the community and making changes in someone’s life, United Way is a great way do that.”