EMPLOYEE DIVISION GENERATES LION'S SHARE OF UNTED WAY $470,000 GOAL

The Area Wide United Way fundraising campaign division charged with raising the largest percentage of this year's $470,000 goal is the employee division.

Ken Hosp and Sharon Drum serve as co-chairmen of the that division.

Hosp said: "I really believe that people who have a lot of blessings have an obligation to help those who are less fortunate," he said "The United Way is nice way to collectively help a lot of people."

A manager at Procter and Gamble for 11 years, Hosp is also a member of the United Way board of directors.

In 1987, he served as associate campaign chairman, and since then has volunteered to help the employee division raise money. His wife, Robyn, is co-chairman of the United Way's patron division this year. "It's kind of a family affair for us."

Hosp said serving as chairman of the employee division presents a fundraising challenge. The campaign officially kicks off Sept. 4.

"When the economy is a little tighter it makes it more challenging for each individual to give," Hosp said. "But we have to remember there are others who have needs, and it's still as important to contribute to charities.

Hosp and Drum visited the Cape Girardeau 4-H program recently. 4-H is one of the agencies which will receive the money raised by United Way.

Hosp said, "I could definitely see that their programs help a lot of people."

Drum added, "I was a 4-Her. I think they have some really strong programs which build important skills and self confidence.

Drum is the area manager of billing and collection for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She has worked for the phone company for 20 years, and recently transferred back to Cape Girardeau from St. Louis.

"This is my first involvement with United Way as a division chairman," Drum said. "But I have been involved with United Way within Southwestern Bell for the last eight years.

"United Way supports a lot of good organizations and helps provide a lot of services to people," she said.

Like Hosp, Drum said the employee division has a big job ahead of it. "We've got a large undertaking," she said. "But I think people will respond to the services United Way provides."