CONTACTING THE CORPORATIONS

The "loaned executives" program has been a major factor in the success of the Area Wide United Way fund campaign the past two years.

"It's a successful program," says Dorothy Klein, executive director of the United Way. "We depend on our loaned executives to contact many of the major corporations."

Loaned executives are granted time off from their regular work positions to make United Way contacts.

"We depend on them to contact about 15 corporations each," said Klein. "The loaned executives receive special training and then visit several of the agencies who receive funds to see how the money is spent."

Harry Rediger, a past board president of the United Way, says the program is "a very worthwhile endeavor."

Rediger, who has been involved in United Way campaigns for 25 years (15 of them in Cape Girardeau), is manager of JCPenney. JCPenney provides one of the five loaned executives.

"Loaned executives can explain the program and answer any questions," said Rediger. "The program allows us to make more calls with fewer volunteers and they're better trained for their work when they go in to talk with a CEO of a company."

Barbara Johnson, operations and personnel manager at JCPenney here, is one of the loaned executives this year.

"It's great that your company gives you time off to help in the United Way program," said Johnson. "It gives you an opportunity to visit several of the agencies which benefit from the campaign.

"When I meet with people, I can tell them I have seen their money at work," she added.

Mary Spell, director of marketing and public relations at St. Francis Medical Center, said she was excited about working as a loaned executive.

"It gives me a chance to touch base with some old friends and an opportunity to do something for the community," she said.

In addition to discussing the United Way campaign with executives, Spell said she was also available to talk with staff members from various businesses and corporations.

"Our administrator, John Fidler, feels very strongly about the United Way," she said. "He feels that this is being part of the community."

"Being a loaned executive has been an education for me," said Karen Green of Mercantile Bank. "I've always been a big supporter of United Way and knew that it was a worthwhile benefit. But now I'm more informed."

Green added that visits to several of the agencies that receive funds helped her in fully understanding United Way. "I feel I can talk about the United Way and its purposes," she said. "I think I can carry that message forth."

Ollie Miller agrees that the program is a worthwhile one.

"The program provides the campaign with people to educate employers and their employees with the idea of a payroll deduction-type of contribution which can mean more dollars to the fund," said Miller, president of Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau and vice president of the United Way this year.

Miller, who will be president of the United Way campaign in 1993, said most of the money collected here remains in this area.

"Out of $470,000 raised last year, we sent only $2,000 to national, that for support supplies from the national," said Miller. "We're very supportive of the United Way."

"That's what the loaned executive program is about," added Miller. "It gives the executives a better chance to talk with businesses and employees."

Pat Miller, a loaned executive from Famous Barr, said being a loaned executive is a learning experience.

"I just wish that everyone could tour some of the facilities which receive funds," said Miller. "It makes you want to get in gear and give.

"Our company is a big supporter of the United Way," she added. "We're hoping for 100 percent from our employee drive here at Famous."

Loaned executive Bill Miller worked in the program at Wetterau in St. Louis before retiring.

"It's a great program," said Miller of Cape Girardeau, who worked with Wetterau 32 years. "When I retired I wanted to remain active as a United Way volunteer."