The American spirit was moving at the United Way’s report meeting on Wednesday.

The Rowan County United Way held its third report meeting at Team Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC.

The event started off with attendees cheering on Salisbury artist Clyde as he worked on a painting he started and finished during the meeting. The painting will be auctioned off during the United Way’s fundraising finale.

Clyde created an abstract painting of a bald eagle flying with an American flag, filled with red, white and blue paint and a yellow ribbon with the words “United we stand” on it.

Some attendees also participated in a short, patriotic game of Pictionary, in which all of the words were related to America in some way.

Penny Greer-Link, the general campaign chairperson, commended the agencies for working hard to raise money for the community.

“That’s what we’re here for. We are here to raise money for the agencies in our community.” Greer-Link said. “(The agencies are) working with the people who so desperately need these services.”

Division representatives reported their fundraising campaign totals for this period.

The total goal for the 2015-16 year is $1,999,999.99, and right now the campaigns have raised about 53 percent of that goal, totaling $1,067,438.

Top fundraisers included the Commercial 2 and Public Employees divisions, both of which have already exceeded their goals. Public Employees raised about $136,743, almost 107 percent of their goal. Commercial 2 raised about $104,158, just over 100 percent of their goal.

The United Way works to improve the education, income and health of local community members. The primary focuses of the Rowan chapter include education and personal empowerment, medical and dental care accessibility and job creation and retention, according to the Rowan United Way website.

Names were drawn for the chance to win a free car. Frances Weant from Rufty Homes Senior Center, Jeff Hirst from Dillards and Rhonda Miller from Rowan-Salisbury Schools will all advance to the next stage of the drawing.

Greer-Link said she would have liked to see more progress, but she is happy with the campaigns that have been completed and is hopeful for the campaigns that are yet to be finished.

“I feel confident that we’ll reach goal, but as I said … every penny, every dollar counts,” Greer-Link said. “So it’s important that we all get out there and continue to work hard.”

The last report meeting is Nov. 4 at Cloninger Ford.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.