The 2009-2010 United Way campaign has entered November with numbers exceeding expectations at this point in the campaign, despite the turbulence of the economy.

To date, over $1 million has been pledged to the annual campaign. This number consists of $527,000 in corporate pledges; $496,000 in employee and individual pledges; $23,000 in special event gifts; and $57,000 from the Le Mars campaign.

The campaign, led by Skip and Cathy Perley. With their help, United Way will reach specific goals aimed at improving the education, income and health of everyone in Siouxland. We're excited about the positive results achieved to date and we welcome those who have not participated in the past to get involved by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve our community."

The following Siouxland companies have increased their employee campaign donations over last year. To date, these companies include:

Allstate Insurance Company; American Red Cross Siouxland Area Chapter; Bomgaars; Boys Club of Sioux City; Goosmann Law Firm; K.C. Engineering; Knova's Carpets Inc.; Kramer & Associates; Land O'Lakes Purina Feed; Lutheran Services in Iowa; Mills Shellhammer Puetz & Associates; Midlands Clinic P.C.; Nichols Rise & Company; Northwest Area Education Agency; Perry Creek Communications; Pinnacle Bank of Sioux City; Salvation Army; Sam's Club Store #6432; Scheels; Security National Bank; Sedgwick Brennan Abstract Company; Siouxland Aging Services; Siouxland Community Health Center; Sudo Manufacturing; Wal-Mart Leeds Store #3590; United Way of Siouxland; Wal-Mart-South Sioux City Store #1332.

Security National Bank also reported that 100 percent of their employees were contributing to this year's campaign. The company and its 200 employees have a long history of supporting the United Way and every year reports nearly full employee participation in the annual fund drive. The milestone of achieving 100 percent participation comes on the heels of the past two years, where participation stood at 97 percent.

"As a local company, we are proud to have all of our employees on board with United Way and the community efforts being made,'' said Cindy Schubert, vice-president bank operations and employee campaign chairperson. "Participation in the campaign is voluntary and we are pleased the people of Security National Bank see the benefits of giving back to Siouxland. We are happy to be back in the position of wholly participating in the United Way campaign.''

In addition to the comprehensive support of employees, Security National's employee giving increased 7.2 percent. The bank had the seventh largest campaign for United Way in 2009.

Additional companies that have reported 100 percent participation include: American Red Cross Siouxland Chapter, Boys Club of Sioux City, Concrete Products Company, Dakota County State Bank, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Mills Shellhammer Puetz & Associates, Perry Creek Communications, Pinnacle Bank of Sioux City, United Way of Siouxland and Women Aware.

Businesses are encouraged to turn in results to United Way by their Early Bird Deadline of Wednesday. Those businesses who report early results will be highlighted and thanked in a full-page ad to be published in the Sioux City Journal in mid-November.

For more information on the progress of the campaign or to contribute to this year's drive, visit unitedwaysiouxland.com or call 712-255-3551.