The four counties covered by the Illinois Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis raised more than $1.62 million exceeding its goal for the 2012 fundraising campaign and helping the overall United Way organization raise $72 million.

"I would like to thank every single donor to this year's campaign for helping to improve the quality of life in the community I care about. Your generosity will help over one million people this year in our 16-county service area," said Mike Marchal, United Way's Illinois Division 2012 Campaign Chair.

The United Way of Greater St. Louis raised a total of $72,019,850 for the 2012 campaign. More than 2,500 companies ran campaigns, and more than 200,000 individuals contributed to the United Way campaign's success in the 16-county region of Missouri and Illinois.

More than 90 cents of every dollar United Way raises goes back into the community to provide services that help people become healthier and more self-sufficient.

United Way of Greater St. Louis supports more than 170 agencies in the counties of: St. Charles, Warren, Lincoln, St. Louis, St. Louis, and Jefferson counties in Missouri and Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Madison in Illinois.