LAKE CITY — United Way of Suwannee Valley celebrated its awards banquet and annual meeting Thursday evening at the Florida Gateway College Howard Conference Center.

United Way of Suwannee Valley announced its achievement of the 2016-2017 community fundraising campaign goal of $515,000.

Supporting the efforts of the general campaign team is the Challengers’ Club, the local United Way’s leadership giving group. The Challengers’ Club raised $165,718 with 180 members participating.

Coupled with the grant-funded resources received by United Way and other local community agencies as a result of United Way’s efforts, the overall community impact is $1,227,760.

United Way of Suwannee Valley serves Suwannee, Columbia, Hamilton and Lafayette counties.

John Burns III was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Chris Dampier, 2016-2017 general campaign chair, presented special recognition to Florida Gateway College for its contributions to a successful United Way and to PotashCorp-White Springs for its outstanding fundraising success.

Bill Caley, Boys and Girls’ Club of Columbia County executive director, was recognized as an outstanding member of the United Way speakers bureau.

Janie Richardson, chair of the United Way Planning Committee, highlighted initiatives which are expanded or new this year.

The ReadingPals early literacy initiative expanded to include the Hamilton County School District. Columbia and Suwannee school districts started participating during 2015-2016, the first year of this grant initiative.

A homeless street outreach team was launched as a result of funding through LSF Health Systems.

The event concluded when the gavel was passed to the 2017-2018 Board President Chris Dampier. The 2016-2017 United Way Board President Gary Godwin was unable to attend the meeting.