The United Way of Lancaster County’s kickoff offered reason to celebrate.

The recent breakfast event, launching the local United Way’s 51st year, featured a helping of the customary early-morning fare of sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits.

The food had to have a taste of victory since the United Way’s board of directors said $450,000 was raised last year, topping the goal of $400,000.

Those numbers had to produce smiles for the attendees at the thought of trying financial times here and across the state and nation.

No one has to be reminded of those challenges, including ever-increasing gas prices, loss of jobs and and an unstable market, but we’re also mindful of another fact – Lancaster County cares and will put those words into action. Any doubters need only to be reminded of about a stunning 450,000 reasons over the last year.

According to its Web site, 98 percent of contributions to the United Way of Lancaster County remains in the county.

Lancaster County folks, knowing that significant figure, have a history of stepping up to the plate and delivering in a major way.

Lancaster County residents, who gave over the last year, can take pride twofold. They responded in a way, which reflects past giving and also made a major impact with local folks in need.

“It was a significant increase in a very trying year,” said Lanny Bernard, chairman of the United Way board of directors. “Hopefully, we will be able to, in these tough economic times, exceed our goals and have even more of an impact on the community.”

The local United Way focuses on three main action areas: education of residents, helping families become financially stable and improving people’s health. Even in trying times, local people tend to come through like champions.

“People tend to give better amounts when times are hard, they dig a little deeper,” said Janice Dabney, a former local United Way chairman. “I think everybody is born with that urge to give and help others.”

The goal for the 2008-09 campaign is $425,000. It offers another challenge for our county.

Hope abounds as evidenced by the organization’s new slogan, “Live United.”

During the kickoff event, Bill Sumner, Lancaster mayor pro tem, presented a proclamation noting October as Lancaster County Live United Month.

You can wager that Lancaster County will make every effort to deliver in the way it has before.

Lancaster County truly does live those words by its united giving to helping the lives of others.