No need to wonder how the Omaha – Council Bluffs metro area compares to other communities. The 2011 United Way of the Midlands Campaign is shining example of how we stand head and shoulders above the rest.

The chairs of the 2011 campaign, Jim and Diny Landen, announced today that the drive raised a record $22,500,000. That’s more than the goal ($21.7 million), and in fact, raised 6.3 percent more than the previous campaign.

Although all campaigns have not yet been finalized, the top 100 United Ways in the U.S. currently report an overall increase of one percent from 2010 to 2011

“Plain and simple, people opened up their hearts to help our neighbors,” said Jim Landen, CEO of Security National Bank. “When United Way asked them to help provide opportunities for those who want a better life, thousands of people and organizations said ‘count me in.” As many as 80,000 people donate to the annual campaign, along with contributions from about 1,000 companies and a number of foundations. Even other nonprofit organizations conduct United Way drives at their workplace.

“Even knowing how generous people in the metro area can be, we’re overwhelmed by the response,” said Diny Landen. “Thanks to every one of those donors, thousands of our neighbors who dream of a better life will have access to programs that help them achieve it. The very fabric of our community will grow stronger.”

More than 135 local programs receive donor dollars in the areas of education, financial stability and health. They’re hosted by a total of 51 partner agencies in the United Way and Community Health Charities network. The annual fundraising drive also provides callers round-the-clock human service referrals on the 2-1-1 phone line. United Way also coordinates individual and group volunteer projects for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations.

Donors interested in volunteering in the review process - to learn about needs facing our community and to distribute grants to local health and human service programs - can send a message to liveunited@uwmidlands.org.

United Way of the Midlands, its donors and volunteers advance the common good of the Omaha metropolitan area by providing our neighbors life-changing opportunities in education, financial stability and health. UWM celebrates 89 years of service in 2012.