TORRINGTON — A final exhaustive effort by over 300 United Way of Northwest Connecticut volunteers and the community during the past week pushed the 2009 Campaign over this year’s $864,700 goal, according to Tom Villanova, 2009 General Campaign Co-Chairman.

To date, the Campaign has raised $864,913 which exceeds this year’s $864,700 goal.

“Even though we have surpassed this year’s campaign goal, we continue to accept donations to help our 24 partner agencies, who anticipate reductions from other funding sources,” Villanova said.

The United Way’s campaign teams have pledged to keep working to contact businesses and individuals. A gift of any size made today will help the organization reach its stretch goal of $900,000 for its 24 Partner Agencies. The United Way organization is still available to schedule additional employee presentations.

Pledges will continue to be processed and the United Way will actively garner additional funds for partner agencies that are depending upon the community’s generosity.

Any dollars raised now will still be invested in services by our 35-member Citizen Review process through our member agencies.

“Their funding decisions will be made during January”, continued Villanova.

The success of the campaign to date was due in part to contributions from 129 “Everyday Heroes,” Villanova said.

These individuals gave at a leadership level a minimum of $365 and $130,953 from the organization’s Leader’s Circle members.

“I have been inspired by the individuals and businesses that have increased their support of our United Way in spite of our challenging economy,” he said.

Villanova said he attributes this year’s campaign achievement to the organization’s dynamic and energetic campaign team, exceptional cooperation from the corporate community, the business community, the Leader’s Circle, local employees, and a caring community that traditionally works for people in need.

He also praised Register Citizen Publisher Matt DeRienzo as a “dynamic co-chair.”

DeRienzo, Campaign Co-Chairman, presented the annual United Way of Northwest Connecticut 2009 Corporate Leadership Award to Litchfield Bancorp and its employees. The Litchfield Bancorp family really went above and beyond the call of duty this year by raising $19,478, a 30 increase over last year. Six people qualified as Everyday Heroes. Villanova also praised the local media outlets.

“They embraced our local community needs based marketing campaign,” he said.

The Register Citizen and WZBG were largely highlighted.