As Appalachian State University football fans know, coach Jerry Moore isn’t one to back down from a challenge.

The coach who prepares his teams for victory even when facing the most formidable of opponents is confident that High Country United Way can reach its highest fundraising goal in three years — $575,000 — in spite of an economy that continues to stagnate.

Moore and Tim Baxter, a broadcasting veteran and real estate agent, are serving as co-chairs of the 2012-13 fundraising campaign for High Country United Way, which funds programs in Watauga and Avery counties.

“I just think it’s a great cause for the whole community,” Moore said. “Tim asked me to co-chair the campaign, and before he even finished his pitch, I said, ‘sign me on.’”

Goals for the September-to-March fundraising period were set at $550,000 for the past two years, which was lowered from $600,000 in 2009-10 because of the struggling economy.

But the campaign raised 95 percent of the goal in 2011-12, and this year, the co-chairs decided to aim even higher, said High Country United Way Executive Director Linda Slade.

“They said, ‘We think we can do it. Le’s blow it out of the water this year,’” said Slade. “I’m game. We think the community is going to be behind us.”

Slade is delighted by the commitment from this year’s co-chairs.

“Tim has been in radio and television and knows this community well,” she said. “Coach Moore is passionate about this community.”

Baxter said he is excited by High Country United Way’s ongoing transition to a community impact model of funding, which will allocate money to initiatives in the areas of health, income and education.

“I believe the High Country United Way is striving to make deep and lasting change in our community, and I’m ready to do what I can to involve even more people into the work of the United Way,” Baxter said.

Said Moore, “I think it’s a privilege to give. We all have different resources. Just to be a giver is a blessing.

Founded in 1978, High Country United Way funds programs to help individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives.

For more information, call (828) 265-2111 or visit http://www.highcountryunitedway.org.