SCHNUCK TELLS LEADERS TO SET PACE FOR UW

Craig Schnuck, chief executive for Schnuck Markets Inc. urged Cape Girardeau business leaders to set the pace for this year's Area Wide United Way campaign by making their pledges first.

Schnuck was the keynote speaker at a chief executive officer luncheon Thursday, a forerunner to the official United Way kickoff next week. At that time, the campaign goal will be announced.

Edythe Davis, chairman of this year's campaign, said the goal is higher than ever before. Last year, the goal was $550,000.

This year's campaign will focus on givers. "We're calling them the hometown heroes," Davis said. The campaign theme is "The power of U."

Schnuck works with the United Way in St. Louis and will lead the St. Louis campaign next year. He said United Way's goals echo his own.

"It's extremely important to give back to the community that supports us," he said. In addition, the United Way through support of a variety of service agencies, makes the community a better place to live.

Schnuck said when those soliciting contributions can show a personal commitment to the cause, generating money is easier. "Then you don't have to do any arm twisting," he said.

Business leaders should personally solicit those within their organization for contributions, he said.

"You can be most effective when you've already made your pledge," Schnuck said.

Schnucks Markets encourages each of their 15,000 employees to make some type of contribution. Sometimes, the contribution is small, Schnuck said, "but it establishes a history of giving."

Kevin Govero, president of the United Way board of directors, said the Lorimier Society, established in 1989, provides another way to encourage giving at the corporate or personal level.

Members of the Lorimier Society have reached a level of giving -- $1,000 for a corporation or $250 for an individual.

This year, a new platinum level was established to encourage even higher contributions. This level begins at $10,000 for a corporation or $1,000 for an individual.

"We are stepping up our efforts," Govero said. "This will allow us to step up our effort to the agencies in our community."