FUNDING BLITZ PLANNED; UNITED WAY HEADS TOWARD 1991 GOAL

Organizers of the 1991 Area Wide United Way campaign are planning a mini-blitz this week to ensure initial contacts have been made with a number of local businesses and individuals.

The fund-raising campaign hopes to collect $470,000. As of Friday, $117,225 had been collected toward that goal.

Harry Rediger, campaign chairman this year, said the blitz will give the campaign a boost.

"We kicked off Sept. 5. Cards have been out a month now. We're trying to get those cards back," he said. "We are still in this campaign, but it's time to get things going. We want to get this wrapped up as soon as we can."

While many individual company campaigns are under way and contributions are coming in, a number of the initial contacts have not yet been made.

"In the past we have done mini-blitzes with three or four people on one day, and it has been successful," he said. "This year we're expanding the idea to three days with 30 volunteers."

Members of the United Way board of directors and this year's campaign cabinet will be seeking donations this week.

"We will work these cards with a little fun and hoopla," said Rediger. "We really need to get this buttoned up."

He said early returns look promising.

"One of the good signs we see is the number of increases in donations over last year. If those increases continue, our total will increase."

He added that more than 40 new members have been added to the Lorimier Society. The society is a program to recognize individuals and companies who donate specific amounts to the United Way.

"Those kinds of results make us feel good about reaching our goal this year," he said.

The blitz will end Friday with a reception at the Show Me Center for volunteers.