Supporters of United Way of Forsyth County were honored Thursday night during the organization’s annual celebration.

A crowd of more than 100 people attended the event at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center.

Linda Lang, president of the board of directors, thanked all the attendees for their ongoing support.

“As you all know in working with United Way, our mission is to improve the lives in our community by mobilizing the caring power and spirit of our citizens,” Lang said. “We strive to provide support for programs that are designed to really improve the lives of the citizens here in Forsyth County, and we want to thank you for being such an important part of our efforts here.”

Lang honored some of the top contributors to the 2013 campaign, which began in fall 2012.

In total, the campaign brought in more than $1.8 million.

United Parcel Service was the top campaign contributor, at nearly $460,000, while Publix Super Markets was the next highest with about $380,000.

PCL Industrial Construction Co. raised nearly $125,000, the Forsyth County school system contributed more than $88,000 and Macy’s pledged nearly $76,000.

Besides the top contributing campaigns, Crane Currency was honored as a new campaign, while Georgia Highlands Medical Services was recognized as the top small business campaign.

Lang said none of the efforts of any of the business campaigns go unnoticed.

“A ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem adequate to say to all these companies who work so hard,” she said. “It almost becomes a year-round activity to focus on United Way and we are so appreciative because it’s your efforts that really make a difference in our county.”

Besides a successful campaign, Lang also noted that a major milestone was recently reached when the United Way office was able to relocate to a new facility on Elm Street.

Thanks to a donation from the estate of Arlene Harrison in 2006, United Way this year was able to buy the new building.

“We were able to take those funds and the interest received from the original bequest, and United Way was able to move into a permanent home at 240 Elm Street,” Lang said.

“In all the years we’ve had United Way in Forsyth County, we’ve never had a home of our own and now we have a home of our own.”

Lang noted that an open house for the public is planned for Oct. 1.

Ruth Goode, executive director of the local United Way, said she always looks forward to the celebration.

“This is always one of the most enjoyable events that we have because we see all the people who support us,” she said. “They come out and we don’t always get to see them often, but once a year it’s great to see a lot of them.”