AREA WIDE UNITED WAY REVIEWS LOCAL AGENCIES FOR 1999 CAMPAIGN FUNDING

The Area Wide United Way is reviewing all community agencies that have requested funding from the 1999 campaign.

Each agency has completed an allocation request packet with financial and program information. In addition, agencies must give a 30-minute presentation to a panel of United Way board members and other community leaders.

Reviews are being held through Thursday for agencies currently in the United Way system. New agencies will be reviewed Friday.

This year an additional 30 local individuals are participating in the review process. "It allows us a unique opportunity to get more individuals involved in our work," said John Mehner, chairman of the allocation and agency review committee.

Individuals participating provide information about needs in the community.

Following the review process, the board of directors will determine which programs receive funding from the 1999 campaign set for the fall.

A determination of how much money each agency will receive is made in December after the fund-raising campaign is complete.

New agencies to be reviewed are Scott County Transit, New Vision, Caring Communities, First Call for Help Information and Referral Network, East Missouri Action Agency, Bollinger County Caring Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Current United Way agencies being reviewed are APPLE, Cape Senior Center, Hoover Eldercare Center, Jackson Senior Center, Scott City Nutrition Center, RSVP, American Red Cross, Cape Public School Children's Fund, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, Safe House for Women, Salvation Army, Radio Information Service, Association for Retarded Citizens, Easter Seals, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Gibson Recovery Center, Habitat for Humanity, SADI, Girl Scouts, CASA, Cape Civic Center, Cape County 4-H, Boy Scouts and Cancer Care.