DECATUR - Remnants of Hurricane Gustav may have delayed the kickoff of the 2008 campaign for the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, but it didn't seem to slow the campaign's pacesetters.

The combined total raised so far by UPS and seven United Way agencies is $36,027.21, up from $20,216.29 last year, and when added to early corporate and leadership gifts amounts to $85,968.84, compared to $37,635.11 in 2007.

Campaign Chairwoman Julie Gahwiler, general manager of DCT Industrial Supply Co., announced the totals at the Scovill Golf Course Clubhouse on Thursday evening at a kickoff banquet that had to be rescheduled, along with the golf outing beforehand, because of rain Sept. 4.

"Decatur, once again you have done a phenomenal job," Gahwiler said. "At this rate, I know we can exceed our goal."

United Way officials earlier had announced the 2008 goal would remain the same as 2007's goal of $2.5 million, a target seen as ambitious but doable after last year's campaign fell short by $60,685.

The organization also took a different approach with its pacesetter campaign this year, asking United Way agencies instead of businesses to step up early.

In addition to UPS, which raised $11,726, the Community Health Improvement Center has netted $8,823.48 so far, with the Decatur Day Care Center bringing in $4,976.73 and the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur collecting $4,084.

The other agencies and their totals were Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, $2,966; Catholic Charities, $2,247; the Salvation Army, $620; and Big Brother Big Sisters, $584.

The 2008 campaign for DeWitt County, set to kick off Wednesday in Clinton, also got an early boost with its pacesetter, Exelon/Clinton Power Station, reporting in with about $65,000, plus additional donations of just less than $11,000 each for Dove Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Speaking before an audience of about 140 people, United Way officials also emphasized the campaign's new theme.

"We are celebrating the beginning of a movement, the Live United movement," said Brett Swallow, senior vice president of Hickory Point Bank & Trust and chairman of the United Way board. "It's a movement that challenges each and every one of us to reach deep down inside and share the talents and resources we are so fortunate to have with those who have less."

tchurchill@herald-review.com|421-7978