The United Way of the Lowcountry announced today its 2012 fundraising goal of $2.8 million, the same as last year’s amount.

The event in Bluffton marked the last campaign kickoff for Clarece Walker, CEO of United Way of the Lowcountry. Earlier this year she announced her retirement would be effective in late February, following 35 years of service.

“It’s bittersweet to stand before you today,” Walker said. “Working with all you wonderful people, we have made good strides to ‘advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all.’”

The Pacesetter contributors — 97 organizations and large businesses that conduct their United Way campaigns in mid-summer — already have raised $711,210. That’s 25 percent of the campaign goal, Walker announced.

This year, United Way of the Lowcountry also has plans to start tutoring programs in eight Lowcountry elementary schools. The goal is to ensure that 80 percent or more fourth-graders are reading on grade level in all elementary schools. The United Way seeks 600 volunteer tutors, with the ultimate goal of reducing the high school dropout rate by half within 10 years.

“Already, more than 200 tutors are signed up and will soon begin training,” Walker said.

For more information about United Way of the Lowcountry, go to www.uwlowcountry.org or call 843-982-3040.