AGENCIES BENEFIT FROM UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTIONS

The Area Wide United Way knows how to stretch a dollar.

With a $1 donation each week, the United Way gives local agencies a financial boost.

A $1 donation could help six children with speech therapy at the Southeast Missouri Easter Seal Society or buy a month's supply of formula for a newborn baby through the Lutheran Family and Children's Services.

The local United Way organization provides funding to 19 different health and human services agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Because so many of the agencies are local groups with limited funding, contributing just a dollar a week can make a difference in their annual budget.

"More are just grass-roots agencies that started from a need," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way.

Since 1954, the Area Wide United Way has helped to fill the gap in community needs. Four agencies -- the American Red Cross, Girl and Boy scouts, and Salvation Army -- are still funded from the original campaign.

The United Way group has raised more than $8 million for the agencies since it began. The United Way doesn't completely fund every agency. In case of a sudden need, the United Way wants to be able to help, she said.

"We are there to help," Jernigan said. "There is no magical percentage to fund."

Much of the money forwarded to the agencies is collected during the annual campaign. The original goal was just $49,500 in 1954. Now it exceeds $500,000.

The United Way Campaign, "Paint a Brighter Tomorrow" began Sept. 4 and will conclude by year's end.

Consumers are often bombarded with sales pitches and donation requests. But making a contribution to the United Way means that you don't have to feel guilty when other groups seek donations, Jernigan said.

"There is no other group that can touch so many people in this community."

Each agency is asked to participate in a fund-raising blackout during the annual United Way Campaign. It prevents individuals and groups from dozens of contribution requests.

With its network of agencies, the Area Wide United Way wants to be the umbrella organization for all health and human service groups in the community.

"We truly want to develop a relation with the other agencies," Jernigan said.

Some groups who aren't funded through United Way could request a one-time grant to begin the relationship, she said.