United Way at 80 percent of goal

The Area Wide United Way has has raised 80 percent of its 2003 campaign goal of $935,000.

The following campaign totals have been reported: DANA Corp., $12,930; AmerenUE, $25,379; Best Buy, $4,300; J.C. Penney, $15,525; Commerce Bank, $1,730.

Several companies have experienced significant increases in their employee campaigns including:

General Sign, $1,876, 165 percent increase

Kelley Transportation, $1,668, 80 percent

Union Planters, $11,257, 65 percent

Southeast Missouri Hospital, $56,800, 41 percent

Bank of Missouri, $5,155, 38 percent

Nestle Purina Pet Care, $11,698, 35 percent

Capaha Bank, $3,970, 20 percent

KFVS TV 12, $18,700, 15 percent

KBSI Fox 23, $2,456, 14 percent

Nordenia, $32,508, 10 percent

Coca Cola, $4,308, 5 percent

Fru Con Construction, $8,074, 2.5 percent

US Bank, $9,747, 1 percent

Wood and Huston Bank, $4,500; 1 percent

Several companies have fun with their campaigns:

AG Edwards raised over $1,100. Marsha Limbaugh, local executive at AG Edwards, agreed to wash an employee's car if they achieved their employee campaign goal.

The City of Cape Girardeau assistant director Heather Brooks, arranged for a volunteer from each department within the city to color their hair for a day if the city made its goal. Increasing their campaign by 30 percent and reaching their goal. As a result, police chief Steve Strong, parks and recreation director Dan Muser and interim fire chief Mark Hasheide all sported pink hair for the day. Several other employees joined them with pink, blue or green hair.

Southeast Missouri Hospital sponsored a drawing for several prizes offered to those who donate at various levels.

KBSI Fox 23 rewarded their employees with a bowling party for the third year in a row.

Funds from the 2003 campaign will be used to support 45 specific programs within 32 agencies this year.

Contributions to the United Way campaign can be made by contacting the office by phone at 334-9634, by mailing in a pledge card at 1858 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701, or visiting the Web site www.areawideunitedway.org.