UNITED WAY AGENCIES FIRST AID IN DISASTERS

When Richard Gross' sons asked what would happen if an earthquake like the one in Japan hit Southeast Missouri, Gross answered that United Way agencies would be on the scene to help.

Gross, the 1995 president of the Area Wide United Way, spoke Thursday at the United Way's annual meeting, bringing the 1994 campaign to a close and announcing plans for the 1995 campaign.

"What would happen if an earthquake happened here?" Gross asked. "We would look to you, the 26 agencies of the United Way, to take care of the people, to meet the need."

Gross takes over the presidency from John Mehner.

Mehner said, "We had a minor disappointment because we didn't achieve our dollar goal."

But he said the $489,519 raised is appreciated and will be used by agencies to provide community services.

Mehner added that 32 employee groups posted increases in their donations.

"We had a very aggressive goal, $520,000," said Ron Hopkins, 1994 campaign chairman. "Just because we didn't meet our goal, doesn't mean the money is any less appreciated or any less important."

Donna Hanschen will serve as 1995 campaign chairman. Pete Poe will be the board vice president and Hopkins takes over as treasurer.

Gross said, "Over the past two years, we have raised just under $1 million. I would love to see in the next two years that we raise in excess of $1 million. That would help us help the agencies to meet the need."

United Way

Agency Allotments

American Lung Association, $1,000

American Red Cross, $60,000

Association for Retarded Citizens, $33,000

Boy Scouts, $34,000

Cancer research, $4,000

Cape County 4-H Council, $2,000

Cape Senior Center, $10,000

Cape Civic Center, $35,000

Civil Air Patrol, $500

Easter Seal Society, $20,000

Family Learning Center, $28,000

FISH, $2,500

Gibson Recovery Center, $31,000

Girl Scouts Otahki Council, $34,000

Habitat for Humanity, $4,500

Hoover Eldercare Center, $6,000

Jackson Ministerial Alliance, $2,000

Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, $2,000

Jackson Senior Center, $8,550

Lutheran Family Services, $14,000

Radio Information Service, $2,000

Safe House for Women, $15,000

Salvation Army, $40,000

USO, $500

VIP Industries, $5,000

American Heart Association (contract in negotiation)