United Way announces $1 million campaign goal

The United Way of Southeast Missouri kicked off its 2013 campaign Thursday by announcing a fundraising goal of $1 million, an increase of $50,000 from last year.

The United Way hosted a luncheon at Wehrenberg Cape West 14 Cine to celebrate the launch of its campaign with a theme of celebrating local community heroes. The theme emphasizes that anyone can be a hero by giving and volunteering to improve the community.

Those who attended the luncheon were asked to take a photograph with their neighbor at their table and upload it to Facebook using the hashtag #uwsemohero. Part of the campaign is encouraging members of the community to upload their photos and stories of local heroes using the hashtag.

Local "superheroes" who benefited from the United Way spoke to the crowd of their hard times and how they recovered.

Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, announced a new volunteer opportunity called the Navigator Program, where members of the community can be paired with General Educational Development students to help them and share contacts to help ensure their success. Jernigan said too many barriers and judgments of children and young adults inhibit their growth to be successful individuals.

Jernigan also spoke of the success of the Read to Succeed program in area schools, but said it needs more volunteers. Read to Succeed begins Sept. 9.

She said society has become disconnected from the need of such programs, and the community needs to work on fixing the problem.

"Our hope is that everyone will have the opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of the community through the United Way," she said. "It's about the community, not the United Way."

Jernigan asked that people donate their money or time to the United Way, because every little bit can make a big difference.

Last year's United Way fundraising goal was $950,000. About $1.3 million was raised.

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