The United Way at 50 - Timeline

June 22, 1954 -- Four committees, representing Chamber of Commerce, Retail Merchants Association, Jaycees, and Council of Women's Clubs, authorized a survey of major health, welfare and character-building agencies serving Cape Girardeau. The survey studied the purposes, activities, and funds required by 11 organizations in the city. Following a poll of Cape Girardeau residents, it was decided to conduct a United Fund Campaign here.

Oct. 25, 1954 -- The first United Fund Campaign began in Cape Girardeau with a goal of $49,500. The effort fell short, with a total of $43,630 collected. Agencies benefiting from the campaign were Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Teen Town, and Heart Association.

Dec. 11, 1957 -- Campaign topped its goal, collecting $56,837.54.

1964 -- Goal $89,032. Agencies: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Recreation Center, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Cape Girardeau Association for Retarded Children, Boys League and Civic Center.

Nov. 21, 1964 -- Goal reduced to $86,532, after the board of directors reappraised agency goals, lowering the amount for the Civic Center.

Dec. 30, 1964 -- Fell short of goal, collecting about $68,000. Organizers said campaign became "bogged down." There were problems contacting previous donors, records being unavailable for them.

July 20 1965 -- Goal: $90,610. USO was added to the list of agencies serviced.

Dec. 29, 1965 -- About $83,504 was collected during the campaign. Each agency served took about a 10 percent cut of amount requested.

Nov. 23, 1966 -- Goal: $92,700. It was decided to disburse funds quarterly in 1967, rather than in a lump sum. Harry Trimble of Ketchum Inc., a consultant firm of Pittsburgh, Pa., was hired to run the campaign. Companies with 100 percent employee contributions were honored as Blue Ribbon Firms.

December 1966 -- For the first time in nine years, United Fund surpassed its goal, collecting $94,000.

1968 -- Goal: $100,000. Agencies: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Teen Age Club, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Boys League, Civic Center, Association of Retarded Children and USO.

Aug. 23, 1968 -- Initiated "One Fair Share" to encourage employees to give through the payroll deduction plan.

Dec. 4, 1968 -- Having fallen short of its goal, about $97,000 collected, the board of directors discussed the reorganization of United Fund.

1969 -- Goal: $113,810. Added Sheltered Workshop and National Arthritis Association to list of agencies served.

Feb. 22, 1969 -- United Fund was having trouble. It was being asked to be the fund raiser for other organizations when it couldn't fully support the agencies to which it was already committed. Because of previous year's shortfall in collections, several agencies had to conduct their own fund drives.

Oct. 13, 1969 -- The Southeast Missourian donated $6,040 to the United Fund, profits from a circus it sponsored.

Oct. 31, 1969 -- For only the third time in its history, United Fund exceeded its goal, collecting $114,924.

1970 -- Goal: $115,880. Name of organization changed to United Way.

Nov. 19, 1970 -- Campaign fell about $5,000 short of goal.

1971 -- Goal: $117,750. Collected: $119,039.

Sept. 30, 1971 -- Country Music Jamboree, benefiting United Way, gave two performances at the Arena Building. The event, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, featured Bill Monroe and the Blue Ridge Boys and Roy Acuff and his Smokey Mountain Boys. While attendance was good, it fell below expectations.

1973 -- Goal: $127,000. Collected: $127,636. Suicide and Crisis Line added as an agency, while Teen-Age Club, which had disbanded, was dropped.

September 1973 -- Jo Carole Rutherford was named Miss United Way.

Dec. 12, 1973 -- United Way made its goal, despite two major obstacles: a disastrous flood in the spring and high inflation.

Sept. 18, 1974 -- Bipi Grafner was named Miss United Way.

1975 -- Goal: $136,600. Collected: $140,966. The Senior Citizens Nutrition Center became a United Way agency. For the first time in its history, United Way raised enough money to pay in full the allocations to all 10 of its agencies.

Dec. 15, 1976 -- Jackson Community Chest surpassed its $18,000 goal, collecting $18,494.68. Agencies served were Jackson Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Retarded Children, Red Cross, Jackson School District Children's Welfare, Teen Challenge, Salvation Army, Ministerial Alliance services, and Council on the Aging.

1979 -- Goal: $179,600. Collected: $182,571. Agencies: Association for Retarded Citizens, Red Cross, Voluntary Action Center, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Civic Center, Lutheran Family and Children's Counseling Service, Arthritis Foundation, Senior Citizens Nutrition Center, Crisis and Drug Line, and USO.

1980 -- Goal: $193,200. Collected: $196,000. Southeast Missouri Halfway House and Women's Center and Safe House became United Way agencies. Dorothy Klein becomes executive director of the United Way.

Jan. 16, 1980 -- United Way of America came under attack for the way its 2,300 chapters raised money and spent it.

1981 -- Goal: $205,900. Served 15 agencies, new agencies being United Cerebral Palsy, Family Learning Center and The Gibson Center.

Nov. 8, 1981 -- United Way of America came under attack from charities that had been denied membership in the organization and wanted a share of the $1 billion raised nationally through payroll deductions. Leaders of 150 charities challenged what they called the United Way's "virtual monopoly" of access to employees at their work places.

December 1981 -- United Way campaign fell short, collecting 98.5 percent of its goal.

1982 -- Goal: $217,900. Collected: $217,940.

1983 -- Goal: $235,000. Collected: $235,387. Cancer Research Center added as a United Way agency.

Oct., 24, 1983 -- A committee was formed to discuss the possible merger of Cape Girardeau United Way and Jackson Community Chest.

1984 -- Goal: $283,600. Collected: $305,018.92.

May 1984 -- United Way and Jackson Community Chest merged.

June 5, 1984 -- New name of fund-raising organization is the Area Wide United Way.

1985 -- Goal: $323,900. Collected: $330,074. Agencies: Red Cross, Association of Retired Citizens, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cancer Research Center, Crisis Line, Easter Seal Society, Family Learning Center, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Jackson School District Children's Fund, Jackson Senior Center, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Salvation Army, Southeast Missouri Halfway House, USO and Women's Center and Safe House.

1985 -- Blitz Day was initiated in the Patron Division. Volunteers spent one whole day making calls to potential givers.

1986 -- Goal: $352,100. Collected: $362,211. Cape Girardeau County 4-H Council was added as a United Way agency.

1987 -- Goal: $404,000. Collected: $400,317. New agencies added were the American Heart Association (Missouri affiliate) and Mental Health Association of Cape Girardeau County.

Sept. 3, 1987 -- Thirteen area residents were named to a special advisory panel to finalize plans for an awards ceremony to honor United Way volunteers. To be called the Bell Awards.

April 20, 1988 -- Bell Volunteer Awards were presented to Charles Miller, Ruth Hathaway, Jane Grimm, Harold Nothdurft and Junior Optimist Club. Speaker for the event was Janet Ashcroft.

June 17, 1988 -- Recognizing a decreasing need for its services, United Cerebral Palsy Center of Cape Girardeau closed its doors and returned funds to the community. Supplies and equipment were donated to Parkview State School.

Sept. 25, 1988 -- The first annual First Federal Charity Golf Tournament raised $3,319 for United Way.

1989 -- Goal: $425,000. Collected: About $412,500.

1990 -- Goal: $500,000. Collected: $440,000. New agencies included American Lung Association, Habitat for Humanity, Teen Activity Center, Professional Black Men's youth assistance program, and Radio Information Service.

Sept. 5, 1990 -- Members of newly formed Lorimier Society of Area Wide United Way held a reception and gave awards for support by community leaders and businesses.

1991 -- Goal: $470,000. Collected: $545,222. New agencies were the Eldercare Center and the Safehouse for Women.

Sept. 11, 1991 -- Y.E.L.L. for Newspapers, sponsored by the Area Wide United Way, the Southeast Missourian, the Cash-Book Journal and Southwestern Bell Telephone, raised funds for the United Way and Newspapers In Education, a project sponsored by the Missourian. Volunteers hawked newspapers on street corners to raise money for youth activities. About $13,000 was raised.

1992 -- Goal: $477,000. Collected: $436,700. New agencies were Civil Air Patrol and VIP Industries.

Feb. 23, 1992 -- The Main Street Opry appeared at A.C. Brase Arena building, benefiting United Way. Sponsored by UW and the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Opry performed regularly at Lake of the Ozarks.

Feb. 27, 1992 -- Concern over national management practices of the United Way of America prompted at least 14 of the organization's affiliates to withhold dues pending the outcome of an investigation. Published reports questioned pay and benefits to the national president, William Aramony, who reportedly got $463,000 in salary and other compensation, plus generous benefits. Aramony resigned the same day.

Feb. 27, 1992 -- Two projects co-sponsored by the Area Wide United Way were selected for national honors in the United Way of America's 1991 Reach for the Stars award program. The Y.E.L.L. for Newspapers project was selected to receive a silver award in education and literacy. The Southwestern Bell Telephone Volunteer Awards received an honorable mention for volunteer recognition programs.

Aug. 13, 1992 -- Area Wide United Way expands to Scott City.

1993 -- Goal: $500,000. Collected: $506,833.44.

Dec. 16, 1993 -- Allaying fears that the Flood of '93 would weaken contributions, Area Wide United Way exceeded its goal, collecting $506,833.44.

1994 -- Goal: $520,000. Collected: $489,519. New agency added to United Way was FISH, bringing the number of agencies to 26.

Aug. 27, 1994 -- Doctors vs. lawyers softball game raised money for UW.

1995 -- Goal: $500,000. Collected: $500,818. CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Missouri - was added as a United Way Agency.

Sept. 20, 1995 -- The first Day of Caring was held. Volunteers spent the day helping the staffs of United Way agencies.

Nov. 23, 1995 -- Nancy L. Jernigan became executive director of the Area Wide United Way, succeeding Dorothy Klein, who held that position for 15 years. Klein started with UW in 1977.

July 16, 1996 -- United Way canceled its funding of the Civic Center, eliminating the center's major income source. UW officials said the board of directors won't consider further funding for the center unless they are provided detailed financial statements on how money is spent and what programs are offered.

1997 -- Goal: $550,000. Collected: $585,000.

June 10, 1997 -- United Way initiated a one-time grant program, dispersing more than $19,000 to 10 different agencies in Cape Girardeau and Marble Hill.

June 15, 1997 -- United Way welcomed Cape Girardeau Civic Center back as one of the agencies it supports. In a change from previous years, Civic Center was asked to contribute as much money to its working budget as the UW did.

Oct. 6, 1997 -- Representatives from Area Wide United Way and Community Caring Council pitched the idea of a centralized information and referral network to the Cape Girardeau County Commission, asking the commission to set aside $10,000 from next year's budget to help set up the system.

1998 -- Goal: $625,000. Collected: $690,887. Two agencies, Cape Girardeau public schools' Children's Fund and Scott City Nutrition Program, were added to Area Wide United Way funding. FISH asked to be removed from list.

Feb. 13, 1998 -- Area Wide United Way was among groups honored by the Community Caring Council at its annual Caring Conference. UW, County Health Center and Cape Girardeau Police Department got Community Partnership Awards.

Aug. 27, 1998 -- Mercantile Bank developed a campaign to collect school supplies for needy children in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. The campaign was the result of UW's effort to get the community involved in the work of service agencies through Days of Caring.

Dec. 1. 1998 -- Southeast Missouri chapter of the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Area Wide United Way teamed up to sponsor the first Restaurants Organized for Charity campaign. Restaurant association members in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City donated a percentage of their sales for that day to the UW campaign.

1999 -- Goal: $750,000. Collected: $812,616.

1999 -- Three coordinating efforts were developed this year with help of Area Wide United Way: Local Assistance Network, coordinating the delivery of utility assistance and other related needs; Success by 6, coordinating services targeting children from ages birth to six; and First Call for Help, an information and referral network providing easier access to services through a simple phone call (334-HELP).

2000 -- Goal: $925,000. Collected: $901,065. 2000 -- United Way developed and met with a top 20 advisory council made up of its top 20 contributing businesses, asking these companies to set a realistic yet challenging goal and report back. That work enabled UW to determine its campaign goal in a more scientific manner.

Sept. 8, 2000 -- Despite a Supreme Court decision that upheld Boy Scouts of America's right to ban gay Scout members and leaders, the Cape Girardeau Area United Way decided to continue to fund the local Boy Scouts. Other UW chapters, citing anti-discrimination policies, pulled their support.

2001 -- Goal: $875,000. Collected: $877,459.

Sept. 11, 2001 -- Area Wide United Way postponed its 2001 fund-raising kickoff at SEMO District Fair because of the terrorist attacks. The national organization set up the September 11th Fund, with money collected going to the American Red Cross and other relief agencies helping in New York and Washington.

2002 -- Goal: $895,000. Collected: $928,045.

July 1, 2002 -- The Volunteer Intergenerational Center, developed by the Area Wide United Way and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, opened. The center's purpose was to recruit and refer volunteers to groups throughout the area.

December 2002 - An anemic economy and state funding cuts combined to make 2002 one of the toughest years in memory for charity fund raising. The Area Wide United Way bucked the trend, raising an estimated $908,653 by Dec. 26.

Jan. 30, 2003 -- Area Wide United Way announced the appointment of Shirley Ramsey as Cape Girardeau's new community housing coordinator.

Feb. 17, 2003 -- Area Wide United Way formed the Youth United Way. Three students from each area high school participated, including Central High School, Jackson High School, Scott City High School, Notre Dame and Saxony Lutheran.

Feb. 23, 2003 -- Area Wide United Way entered the fourth stage in a process to assess and better serve its communities in Cape Girardeau County, Scott City and Perryville. During the past few years, UW collected large amounts of data from individuals and agencies. The UW was completing analysis of the information and was preparing to embark on the creation of a community vision, selecting priority issues and building an impact plan. Four top needs identified in 1999 were: transportation, affordable housing, youth substance abuse and assistance to low-income families.

Sept. 20, 2003 -- The Area Wide United Way presented a check for $18,000 to the American Red Cross. The emergency funds were used to assist the Red Cross after the Jackson tornado.

Nov. 10, 2003 -- The Area Wide United Way provided funding for access to the Foundation Directory Online. This service allows an organization seeking grant funding to search 20,000 U.S. foundations and over 250,000 grants.

Dec. 20, 2003 -- Area Wide United Way fund raisers credited early planning and a particularly caring community with breaking the $1 million pledge barrier for the first time in the organization's history. The total collected was $1,000,545.

January 2004 -- The Area Wide United Way Board of Directors released $14,667 in funding to New Vision Counseling to hire a psychiatrist to serve the area.