Brock President Jack Lightstone fills out the ceremonial cheque for the United Way after the University surpassed its campaign goal for the charity. With him are Lucie Thibault (far left) and Mike Plyley, the campiagn's faculty co-chairs, and campaign chair Diana Panter.

Just days after the official campaign closed, Brock University has not only met its United Way donation goal but surpassed it.

In total, $122,676 was raised for the charity that supports dozens of local social agencies and programs. The goal had been set for $120,000.

The final push over the campaign target came thanks to an increase in donors who gave $500 and $1,000 to the campaign, said Diana Panter, campaign chair. More faculty also contributed this year.

This is the first year that students participated in the campaign, something Panter said she and the committee hope to build on next year.

Still, there were moments when she worried whether the campaign would achieve what it set out to do. Panter said that at the halfway mark of the drive, less money had been raised in 2011, causing her to wonder if the University would make it to $120,000.

Now, all she feels is relief – and the thrill of having wrapped up another successful campaign.

“We all really pulled together and we did a lot of re-canvassing at the last minute and that really helped,” Panter said.