A pair of gifts totaling $4 million pushed the Salvation Army Kroc Center's fundraising drive past its goal Wednesday and qualified the project for $67.8 million from the estate of McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc.

"We can claim victory for our campaign," said Wyck Knox, a member of the fundraising cabinet for the project, which -- including a permanent operating endowment -- will represent a $97.8 million investment.

The gifts announced at a luncheon Wednesday include $2 million from the Woodruff Foundation and $2 million from a donor Mr. Knox characterized as "a special friend of the Salvation Army of Augusta" who has chosen to remain anonymous.

The committee, led by banker-philanthropist Boone Knox, launched an aggressive campaign this year to raise $20 million to qualify for the larger sum from the Kroc trustees.

With the gifts, the campaign total is $22,073,953.

Salvation Army officials and others thanked Boone Knox with the announcement Wednesday that the Kroc Center's tower -- the project's signature architectural feature -- will be named in his honor.

"We knew it would take just the right person to make this a success," said Salvation Army Capt. Todd Mason. "Boone Knox has supported many campaigns, but this is the first one he decided to chair."

Boone Knox's leadership, he added, helped make it possible to complete the fundraising campaign six months ahead of schedule, despite a downturn in the economy.

The 85,000-square-foot Kroc Center will include an aquatics center, classrooms, a 400-seat theater, a 270-seat banquet hall with a stage for a dinner theater, rehearsal areas and many other features.

One unique amenity, that is being used as a model for Kroc Centers in other cities, will be a "First Stop Center" in a separate building from the main complex, where as many as 20 organizations will help assess and steer families to programs that can help them.

During the luncheon, Salvation Army Maj. William Mockabee, the group's Georgia divisional commander, thanked dozens of volunteers, fundraising committee members and staffers who helped make the effort a success.

"We will be worthy of the trust you have placed in us," he said. "We will guard it with every fiber of our being."

Organizers have screened six firms that might eventually be involved in building the complex, which will occupy 17 acres in the Chafee Park area of Harrisburg. Groundbreaking could occur early next year, possibly in February.