Area Wide United Way sponsors tour of agencies

Executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau NaTika Rowes, inspired volunteers surrounding her on an Area Wide United Way tour of the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau. The club offers hope and oppportunity for young people by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.Southeast Missourian

The Area Wide United Way wanted their July 24 and 31 two-hour agency tours to have an impact on participants that would last a lifetime. The Area Wide United Way hosted tours of funded agencies for their campaign volunteers in an effort to motivate and educate.

"The idea is for volunteers to experience, firsthand, the work that our agencies do so they will truly understand how important the work of the United Way is, and how they can help. We want them to get excited about helping raise money for these great programs," said Marla Mills, assistant director and tour guide.

The tours highlighted many of the agencies and programs sponsored by United Way in the Cape Girardeau area. It included visits to see the work of The Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity homes, and apartments used by clients of the Association for Retarded Children.

Forty people participated in the tours. Additional training was provided to help campaign volunteers invite local businesses to run United Way campaigns.

The Area Wide United Way will officially kick off its 2003 campaign Aug. 28 at Cape West Cine. The Blues Brothers will entertain and food will be catered by Old Bavarian Sausage.

The Area Wide United Way serves to build a stronger and healthier community. More than $929,000 was raised in the organization's 2002 annual campaign, funding 45 programs within 32 local agencies.

For more information about the local United Way, visit its Web site at www.areawide unitedway.org or call 334-9634.