United Way of Hall County has raised more than 50 percent of its $1.8 million goal for 2011.

Campaign chairman Brian Daniel announced during this morning's mid-campaign progress report that United Way has raised $910,767 at the campaign's halfway point.

"It's amazing how this community comes together to support this agency," Daniel said. "We understand that times are difficult for some people, but this community has come together and rallied behind this campaign."

The fundraising campaign started Sept. 8 and will finish around the end of January.

This is the second year the United Way has set a goal of $1.8 million. Jackie Wallace, president of United Way of Hall County, said they "took a hard look" at the community and felt confident they could reach that goal again.

"In this economic environment, to sustain that giving year over year is just incredible," Wallace said.

Since 1948 United Way of Hall County has invested more than $45 million back into the community.

The funds will be distributed to 16 partner agencies throughout Hall County. Those agencies focus on varying aspects of the community including children, crisis, elderly, youth development or health care.

"These are dollars that stay right here at home and they're helping out our community at a time when it's needed most," Daniel said.

More than 100 business, both large and small, contribute to the campaign through various efforts. Some of the larger contributors are the medical center, the poultry industry and UPS.

But it isn't just businesses that help make the goal attainable.

"By and large our support really comes from individuals who are giving from their paychecks," Wallace said. "Payroll deduction is just so important to our success, and it really is the individuals who make the commitment — who give a few dollars from every paycheck — that make this campaign successful."