More than 400 corporate and civic supporters and community volunteers celebrated the conclusion of the 2011-12 Pikes Peak United Way campaign at a lunch Tuesday at The Broadmoor, where they learned that for the eighth year more than $5 million had been raised.

The grand total of $5.5 million helped more than 130,000 people and signifies a $10.5 million investment in the community, reported Campaign Council Chair Ann Fuller, Board Chair Terrance McWilliams and board member Tom Naughton. Nearly 3,000 volunteers were involved.

Pikes Peak United Way, celebrating 90 years, has 42 partner agencies.

Naughton said that during the past year the free 2-1-1 information and referral hotline was used by 26,000 people needing a connection to programs and services including utilities assistance, food, shelter and medical care among others. In a video presentation, United Way president and CEO JD Dallager shared that he couldn’t be at the luncheon because he was on his bicycle atop Independence Pass as part of Ride the Rockies. He’s raising money for the 2-1-1 program.

Naughton also reported that a new “Success by 6” reading and school readiness program in Harrison School District 2 and Colorado Springs School District 11 will be funded at $1 million over two years.

Announced as winners of the 2011-12 awards:

Spirit of Caring, based on internal campaign performance and volunteer efforts, Enterprise Holdings, Harland Clarke and FedEx Services.

Best First-Time Campaign: Layton Truck Equipment Co.

Volunteer of the Year: Laraine Salivar Gillespie. Served on the PPUW Allocations Committee, worked as a Loaned Executive for 3 years, was campaign coordinator and is a member of the Women’s Leadership Council.

Keynote speaker Regina Lewis was introduced by Naughton as president/CEO of her own executive coaching business, department chair and instructor of communication at Pikes Peak Community College, a Ph.D and a military veteran who had served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

However, Lewis said, before she was “a Dr. Lewis” and president of her own company, she had been a single mother who had needed help from United Way agencies such as Head Start, Care and Share and WIC. “I felt degraded,” she admitted. “It was hard to reach out for assistance. I wanted to be someone who didn’t have to be dependent. I wanted to be SOMEONE in Colorado Springs.”

Bringing many in the audience to tears, she charted how she and her young son set out together to reach their goals. He son wanted to go to the Air Force Academy. She wanted her higher education and to get her Ph.D. Lofty goals for both, she admitted.

Six days before her son graduated from high school he watched his mother receive her doctorate, proudly flaunting tradition in a bright yellow robe of celebration instead of a traditional black robe. Days later her son walked across the stage where it was announced he had been accepted not only at the Air Force Academy but at eight academies and major universities as well.

“If not for United Way and all the contributors” their dreams would probably never have come true, Lewis said.