The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties announced Tuesday it raised more than $2.9 million in pledges during the 2011 fundraising campaign.

The local nonprofit raised $2,955,799.40, breaking its previous fund-raising record of $2.734 million from 2009.

“What is more noble than giving something to a complete stranger and expect nothing in return,” 2012 Campaign Chairman Phil Holt asked at the annual Community Celebration, held at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.

More than 93,000 people, or one in three, in Rutherford County received services from a United Way partner agency in 2011, celebration emcee John Hood said.

United Way focuses on education, income, health, and rebuilding lives – the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done through giving, advocating and volunteering.

The event also honored individuals and companies, who made the record-breaking campaign possible.

The Top Ten campaigns were:

10. City of Murfreesboro - $35,449

9. Heritage Farms Dairy - $42,026

8. Bridgestone La Vergne Plant and Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund - $67,025

7. MTSU - $81,578

6. State Farm Insurance Company - $126,245

5. Nissan North America - $140,494

4. Rutherford County Government and Schools - $190,698

3. Yates Services - $205,220

2. Publix Supermarkets - $274,684

1.General Mills - $671,325

General Mills also received the best overall campaign award for increasing its overall total by 15 percent from last year, a 27 percent increase in the average gift and 25 percent increase in employee donations per capita, among other improvements.

For a full list of this year's best overall campaigns, visit uwrutherford.org.