Just two months into the United Way of Hall County's annual fundraising campaign, the nonprofit is more than halfway to its $1.8 million goal.

Officials with the group announced their progress during a mid-campaign breakfast Wednesday.

"For the last several years we have been asking the community to live United. This year, we wanted to take our mantra to the next level," said Jackie Wallace, United Way president.

"Over the past few months, we've really seen the community come together and take action."

So far, the campaign has raised $913,496, or 51 percent of the targeted amount.

"Our United Way volunteers have turned into action heroes," campaign chairman Davis White said during the breakfast.

"We want to thank (everyone) for all that they do and to challenge you to take action over the next six weeks."

One of the ways community members have taken action on behalf of the United Way has been to skip certain luxuries and donate that money to the cause, in addition to their usual donation.

The extra money helps the United Way provide additional support to its 16 partner agencies such as Good News Clinics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County and Alliance for Literacy.

"I skipped the (nail) salon and saved $48 by painting my nails myself," Amy Munn, Lakeview Academy development and marketing director, said during the breakfast's taking action presentation.

According to United Way board members, the extra money Munn donated could help a student at Challenged Child and Friends receive therapy or help the American Red Cross feed 20 people after a disaster.

Instead of eating out five days a week, donor Tommy Howard brought his lunch once a week - for six weeks - and managed to save $60, which he added to his usual donation.

Other donors did things such as cutting back on their dry cleaning and saving their loose change.

This year's $1.8 million goal is the same level that was projected for last year's campaign. At the conclusion of the 2009 campaign, the group surpassed its goal by $359.