United Way of Greene County has reached half of its $720,000 goal, it was announced Wednesday at United Way's second report breakfast of the 2009 campaign.

A total of $358,590 has been raised to benefit 24 community service agencies, according to Joy Rader, campaign chair.

An estimated 35 volunteers attended the breakfast at the Greeneville City School System's Kathryn W. Leonard Administrative Office.

They were welcomed by Dr. Vicki Kirk, assistant director of schools and heard presentations about two school-related programs that receive United Way funding.

Kirk thanked the United Way volunteers for their work to benefit the children of Greeneville and Greene County.

United Way, she said, helps provide food for children, helps them be healthy and assists their parents.

The first presentation was from Kim Gass, who spoke about the preschool family literacy program, "Home Is Where Your Story Is."

She said that for the past three years, the program has operated with a one-time $31,000 grant through United Way.

Gass showed a slide show of photos featuring the preschoolers with their family members at several events.

She said the program has served 175 families and 2,369 individuals.

Gass also is affiliated with the Literacy Council, a United Way agency.

The second presentation was from Angelia Rodriguez of the city school system's Family Support Center.

The center, with sites at Greeneville High School and the George Clem Administration Building, serves more than 600 families at all city schools, she said.

Services include home visits, scheduling wellness appointments, and providing clothing and school supplies, she said. The center serves migrant and homeless families, she noted.

"Your support is extremely crucial for what we do," she told the volunteers.

A "pressing" need is for food, she said. "You can't learn when you're hungry," Rodriguez said.

The first division report was from Sam Riley, who is co-chairing the County Division with Ken Earl.

Dale Long, Major Gifts chair, reported a total of $266,817 pledged.

Riley reported a total of $13,945 pledged.

Paige Peters, Small Business chair, reported a total of $28,920 pledged.

In the absence of Noah Roark, Individual Gifts chair, Robin Brown, his administrative assistant, reported a total of $20,975 pledged.

Jack Lister, Public Service chair, reported a total of $27,933 pledged.

Wendy Peay, the local United Way's executive director, said its 2008 campaign reached the halfway mark on Nov. 19 last year.

Rader said, "We feel confident that we will reach our goal."

The next campaign breakfast is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. The hosts will be two United Way agencies, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Foster Grandparents. A location has not been announced.

In addition to the agencies listed above, United Way funds benefit the following agencies, in alphabetical order: American Red Cross Greene County Chapter, Asbury Child Enrichment Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County, CASA of Northeast Tennessee, Child Advocacy Center, The Children's Center, CHIPs Family Violence Shelter, CONTACT Ministries, Family Support Services, Frontier Health, Girl Scouts of the Appalachian Council, Greene County Cancer Program, the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad, Greeneville-Greene County Community Ministries' Food Bank and Opportunity House, Mountain Region Speech and Hearing, Sequoyah Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Tennessee Poison Center, Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, and the YMCA Scholarship Program and Arthritis Aquatic Program.