CAPE, JACKSON CITIZENS URGED TO `FLOOD AREA UNITED WAY'

The Area Wide United Way kicked off its most ambitious fund-raising campaign Wednesday hoping to raise half a million dollars in the wake of flooding that may have drained some agency coffers.

In fact, the flood has been turned into a campaign slogan, "Flood the Area United Way Drive," said John Mehner, keynote speaker.

"Thank God the flood will come and go, but the needs of the United Way are here to stay," said Mehner, a member of the United Way board of directors and newly named president of Cape Girardeau's Chamber of Commerce.

People have given money to flood relief efforts, said Dennis Marchi, chairman of this year's campaign, and he hopes the generosity will spill over to the United Way.

"There is life after the flood," he added. "I think it's a very attainable goal. But the requests from agencies for funding came in at $650,000."

Marchi said several United Way-funded agencies, especially the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, have been dealing with the flood on a daily basis.

"A lot of money has been donated to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, rightly so, but money donated to disaster relief must be spent on disaster relief," he said.

Agencies, including those two, have other needs. The United Way provides funds to 25 community agencies.

Mehner said: "Other agencies not directly impacted by the flood continue to operate. The agencies who make up the United Way are in the business of helping people every day."

Mehner said the word flood, as used in the United Way cam~paign, should stand for family, love, optimism, opportunity and daily. "We have to remember these agencies practice what they do daily," Mehner said.

O.J. Miller, president of the United Way board of directors, said, "This is the largest goal we've ever set."

Last year's goal of $477,000 fell short. "A lot of us took that personally," Miller said. "This year we have made an all-out effort. This will be the year we not only meet our goal but also exceed our goal."

He said 250 volunteers will be soliciting funds for the campaign.

These are funds that will be used to help people like six-year-old Lauren Eggimann, who started kindergarten at Jackson on schedule this fall thanks to help from the Early Learning Center of the Easter Seal Society, a United Way agency.

Lauren and her mother, Kristi Eggimann, were featured at Wednesday's kickoff.

Eggimann said Lauren was born with a rare heart disorder. Thirteen days after her birth, Lauren underwent open heart surgery. After a second heart surgery, her heart seems to be strong.

Then, a little over a year ago, Lauren was diagnosed with another rare condition, DiGeorge Syndrome, which affects her speech and motor skills.

After this diagnosis, Lauren was enrolled at the Early Learning Center.

"The people at the Easter Seals feel like she is part of their family," her mother said. Since beginning classes at the center, Lauren's speech has improved dramatically and her motor skills, including coloring and writing, have also improved.

"Not only have they helped Lauren," Eggimann said, "they help me understand her needs.

"I just want to say thank you to the United Way and all of you for supporting the United Way. They do wonderful work."

Lauren's grandmother, Marilyn Eggimann, added, "Without Easter Seals, she wouldn't have been able to attend kindergarten this year."