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There's something about sharing a meal that smacks of celebration by its nature. It's also a time for giving thanks.

Friday, at First United Methodist Church in Maryville, there was plenty of both.

The United Way of Blount County held a luncheon to formally announce the 2009 giving campaign reached its goal. The mood was celebratory, and there were thanks aplenty to pass around.

The goal was $1.9 million. As of Friday, a total of $1,900,389 had been raised, making Blount County's United Way effort one of the first in East Tennessee to achieve the mark it set for itself.

Success was not assured. We all recognize the state of the economy. We know many of us face unexpected challenges brought about by shifting conditions in our daily lives. We understand resources are limited.

United Way exists to extend a hand. It offers a practical way for those of us on firm ground to offer a strong grip to those of us in danger of slipping away.

More than that, because of the wide range of organizations linked through United Way, it supports groups that prepare us to stand tall on our own. The broad scope of those receiving United Way funding is exemplified by the categories of the affiliations:

-- Helping kids succeed

--Strengthening and supporting families

--Improving people's health

--Promoting self-sufficiency

--Protecting community well-being

--Supporting new ventures.

One of those groups, the Boy Scouts, is listed in the "helping kids" category, but could be included in others. A childhood recollection by classically trained vocalist Pierce Vincent Eckhart -- whose performances branch beyond his training into jazz and theater -- illustrates how one group can motivate:

"When I was a Boy Scout, we played a game when new scouts joined the troop. We lined up chairs in a pattern, creating an obstacle course through which the new scouts, blindfolded, were supposed to maneuver. The scoutmaster gave them a few moments to study the pattern before our adventure began. But as soon as the victims were blindfolded, the rest of us quietly removed the chairs.

"I think life is like this game. Perhaps we spend our lives avoiding obstacles we have created for ourselves and in reality exist only in our minds. We're afraid to apply for that job, take violin lessons, learn a foreign language, call an old friend, write our congressman -- whatever it is that we would really like to do but don't because of personal obstacles. Don't avoid any chairs until you run smack into one. And if you do, at least you'll have a place to sit down."

Eckhart's words, had he been at Maryville First Methodist and spoken them Friday, would have echoed off the walls and found common faith. Plenty of people there had overcome their own personal obstacles before offering a strong grip to others.

Many were thanked Friday. Many more had earned the gratitude of fellow Blount Countians -- too many to be named.

That said, here's a short list of just a few of those volunteers in leadership positions whose efforts helped to put the United Way of Blount County's campaign over the top:

John Hinkle, 2009 Campaign chair; Lea Anne Law, Major Firms; Brenda Pilson, Commerce; Kathy Johnson, Industry; Matthew Bryan, General Business; Betsy Cunningham, Public Service; David Cockrill, Professionals; Becky Swann, Special Gifts/Residential; Virginia Hardwick, The Pillars Society; Kevin Clayton, The Tocqueville Society.

We thank you and the thousands of Blount Countians who contributed time and effort and money to make the 2009 United Way campaign a success. It proves once again that we "Live United."