HARRY REDIGER PRAISED FOR SERVICE TO GROUPS

Two civic organizations are just wild about Harry, and they let him know it Thursday.

Harry Rediger Thursday was recognized for his service at two separate events sponsored by Vision 2000 and Area Wide United Way. Representatives from both organizations said Rediger enjoys helping others and is always ready to lend a hand.

Rediger was recognized and presented with a rose at the Vision 2000 Award of Distinction Breakfast at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was nicknamed one of the "Originals" because he has been active with the group since its creation in 1987.

"He was on the very first steering committee in 1987, and he gave input on all the Vision 2000 strategies," said Melvin Gately, a Vision 2000 Community Relations Council member. Gately said Rediger has continued to provide emotional and financial support to the organization over the years. He is always there to help in any number of ways, he said.

"Harry is just very much an innovator," said Gately.

United Way members also had nothing but good to say about Rediger during the annual luncheon meeting at Drury Lodge. The organization recognized Rediger, who was an outgoing board member, for 18 years of service.

"Sometimes you need an impact player, a go-to guy, someone you know is going to get the job done," said Pete Poe, the outgoing board chairman. "Well, Harry Rediger is that impact player, that go-to guy, that person you know is going to get the job done."

Rediger was surprised with a cake, a gift and a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" during the meeting for his dedication to helping with the many activities of the United Way. In an impromptu speech, he said he remained committed to the organization even though he was retiring from the board.

"I'm not going anywhere. My heart will always be with the United Way," Rediger told the nearly 70 people attending the meeting. "The United Way is exactly what it says: a United Way. It's a team effort. As a team, we here in the Area Wide United Way can make it work, and we are making it work."

Newly elected board chairperson Donna Hanschen told Rediger his retirement from the board did not exclude him from the team. "Harry, we plan to call on you, so make sure you have your answering machine on," she announced at the meeting. "We still plan to put you to work."

United Way executive director Nancy Jernigan also said she doesn't plan to lose contact with Rediger now that he's not a board member. His input to the organization was tremendous, she said, and we don't want him to stray too far.

"The thing about Harry is he came to me more than I went to him," said Jernigan, who just completed her first year with the organization. "He came to me with more ideas for us, and about what his employees would do for fund-raisers. He's thinking of us all of the time.

"I think I probably still have a lot to learn from Harry."