The act of sharing brings neighbors and communities closer together.

The annual fund raising campaign of the United Way of Wise County serves as the living embodiment of this notion. Every year, residents of Wise County contribute more and more to the agencies that reflect the compassion of the county.

The United Way serves as the central fundraising organization for more than 20 health and human service organizations located within the county. Last year, the fundraising goal was set at $300,000. Local generosity surpassed expectations and the organization raised $350,000.

Executive director Martin Woodruff said the city staffs in Wise County outdid themselves this year. The city of Decatur increased its money raised by 50 percent over the previous year, and the city of Bridgeport raised more than any other city in the county. Local businesses also contributed.

“Devon Energy is our biggest supporter,” Woodruff said. “Those guys have always gone above and beyond. They raised over $100,000 this year.”

Woodruff said the United Way has changed the way it allocates money from its events. In the past, 90 percent of all money raised went to the many charity organizations. The remaining 10 percent went to the United Way’s operating costs. Although the campaign does not officially kick off until Sept. 6, United Way has found a way to cover all the operating costs early on. Now, all the money raised at the United Way Golf Tournament and the WC Challenger Charities Professional Bull Riding event go to cover operating costs.

This way, once the official campaign begins in September, 100 percent of all money raised goes directly to the charity organizations. Woodruff said the new method is very successful.

The United Way office is located in at 300 N. Miller Suite C in Decatur. The phone number is (940) 627-2111. Woodruff can be reached at (940) 627-3684. The Web site address is www.wisecountyunitedway.org.

Affiliate agencies are Abundant Life Children’s Home, American Red Cross Chisholm Trail Chapter, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, Changing Course Foundation, Child Study Center, CASA of Wise and Jack counties, Communities in Schools of North Texas, Girl Scouts, Infant and Toddler Intervention Program of North Texas, Reata Rehabilitation, Salvation Army, Southwestern Diabetic Foundation, South Wise Services, STAR Council on Substance Abuses, Texas Neighborhood Services, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Wise County 4-H, Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, Wise Area Relief Mission, Wise County Committee on Aging, Wise County Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse,Wise County Christian Counseling, Wise County Domestic Violence Task Force and Wise Kids Care.