Linda Jelinek, who works for the UW Medical Foundation, doesn't know how to ride a motorcycle. But she now owns one as the winner of United Way of Dane County's first sweepstakes, announced Thursday at the group's annual luncheon.

And Jelinke's surprise and happiness at winning was mirrored in the faces of the United Way annual giving campaign staff, who announced that in a rough economic year, the local United Way reached its ambitious goal by raising a projected $16,652,011.

Jim Riordan, the 2008 campaign chairman and president of WPS Health Insurance, announced the amount to a packed luncheon of more than 800 people at Monona Terrace, cruising into the banquet room on the Harley and taking the podium still wearing his helmet, leather jacket and chaps. The sweepstakes bike — donated by Capital City Harley-Davidson/Buell and other sponsors — marked the first time United Way used an incentive prize, offered to new donors or those who upped their donation by $25 or more over last year.

"In tough economic times like these, raising the same amount as last year would be an accomplishment," Riordan told the crowd. "We support the United Way Agenda for Change because we know it is a sound investment in our community."

The United Way set its annual goal of $16.65 million before the stock market's recent tumbles, in hopes of exceeding last year's total of $16,003,210. In past years, United Way president Leslie Ann Howard has not addressed the annual luncheon, but she made an exception this year. She told the crowd it was because of the unusual challenge that fundraising represented.

"We obviously had no idea when we started the campaign how challenging this year would be," Howard said. "The economic challenges effect us all (but) they create even more challenges for the most vulnerable in our community. It's tremendous what's been accomplished here."

She noted that corporate giving increased 4 percent this year and the average gift was $330. There were 42,200 donors, 6,000 of whom gave for the first time.

Added Howard: "If you have any concerns about the future of our community — I don't, because of you."