(KAIR) -- A cross-section of community leaders gathered to raise thousands of dollars for the Atchison Area United Way, which will in-turn go to area non-profits.

One-hundred 85 business leaders, educators and government officials attended the first annual Community Leadership Breakfast, organized in conjunction with the city of Atchison, Atchison County and the Advisory Committee for Community Foundations.

All 15 agencies under the United Way Banner had booths explaining how their business works and how United Way dollars impact them.

One of them was Bridgette Lutz with the Atchison Chapter of the Salvation Army.

She says, among other things, United Way helps them pay rent and utilities.

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Another organization is DoVes, which helps assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

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That’s Tessa Carter Martin, Director of Survivor Services for DoVes.

They were founded by Sherry Dunn in September 1987 as a task force, became an organization in 1989 and have been providing shelter for victims since 1990.

Also in attendance was the Atchison Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Director Kim Bottorff says United Way dollars help their chapter assist in local disasters.

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Long time Atchison business leader “Bud” Cray was the keynote speaker for the event.

His father was Chairman of the first meeting of the Atchison United Way several decades ago.

Cray says donors favoring one specific organization under the banner will still see the results rather not giving at all.

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He says the more community unity, the better the organization becomes.

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The event raised 13 thousand 125 dollars for the United Way.