Small businesses to be the focus of fund-raiser

Small businesses and individuals will be the focus of the next phase of United Way of Southeast Missouri's annual fund-raising drive.

The Small Business Blitz will begin with a volunteer meeting Thursday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Cape Girardeau. Teams from area businesses as well as individuals will compete for prizes for bringing in the most money to an event Oct. 10.

The Patron Division is the portion of the overall campaign devoted to contacting small businesses and individuals. The Patron Division has a goal of raising $89,600 toward the United Way's overall goal of $1.3 million for 2007.