UNITED WAY DOLLARS AT WORK IN REGION

The annual Area Wide United Way fund-raising drive is over. The $625,000 goal was met. Now what?

The United Way was established to conduct a coordinated fund-raising campaign. Donors could make one donation that is shared by many service agencies.

The local United Way has raised more than $9 million in the community since 1954. Originally established in the Cape Girardeau area, the United Way has expanded to include Jackson and Scott city in its fund-raising efforts.

The fund-raising drive is conducted each fall. Prior to the campaign, the United Way board of directors determines which agencies to consider for funding the following year. After the campaign, the board determines how to divide the money raised.

The board includes 28 community members. This year, 26 agencies receive money from the United Way.

Fund-raising expenses and overhead for the local United Way is 15 percent, said Nancy Jernigan, executive director.

In addition, the United Way is expanding its own role in the community.

The United Way is developing a stand-alone agency to help people find services that are available in the community.

The Information and Referral Network is scheduled to formally begin operation this summer.

The United Way recently received an $8,850 planning grant to develop an early childhood initiative called Success by 6. The local United Way was one of seven recipients in Missouri to receive money from the Bank of America Foundation.

The money will be used to plan a Success by 6 initiative, Jernigan said. A committee will be formed to coordinate and develop the proposal.

On Wednesday, the United Way and Ameritech are holding the 12th annual volunteer recognition luncheon to honor people and organizations who have impacted the community over the past year.

During the week, the United Way is coordinating the annual Days of Caring as a way to encourage individuals to begin volunteering.

This year's Days of Caring focus on children. Students from participating schools are conducting coin drives for a variety of local charities.

The United Way will sponsor its 12th annual charity golf tournament June 14.

Over the summer, agency reviews begin again in preparation for next fall's campaign.

1999 FAMILY OF AGENCIES AND FUNDING

American Red Cross $70,000

2430 Myra Dr.

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-9471

The American Red Cross is an organization led by volunteers who provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. American Red Cross provides first aid training, CPR training, community first aid and safety seminars, CPR for the professional rescuer, and leads volunteer disaster relief efforts.

APPLE (Applications, Personal Papers, Legal and Environmental) $5,988

1 University Plaza

Cape Girardeau

(573) 651-5467

APPLE helps senior adults with paperwork, conducts small group education classes and coordinates services with other agencies. APPLE offers free paperwork assistance to adults 60 and older.

Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. $37,500

P.O. Box 831

Cape Girardeau

(573) 334-1166

The Cape County Association for Retarded Citizens provides services such as recreation, developmental training, adult basic education, diagnostic screenings, evaluations and residential living. They provide counseling to families and other services and programs families may need.

Boy Scouts of America $38,500

3000 Gordonville Rd.

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-3346

The Boy Scouts help others by helping instill values in young people to prepare them to make good choices and achieve their full potential. Scouting involves youth in citizenship participation and provides opportunities for weekend camping, day camps and summer camps.

Cancer Care $9,203

St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital

Cape Girardeau

The two hospitals are conducting research through the Community Clinical Oncology Program. Funding offsets local costs of collecting and processing information.

Cape Girardeau Civic Center $12,000

232 Broadway

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-7141

The Cape Girardeau Civic Center fosters a sense of community and promotes the development and well being of children, youth and families in Cape Girardeau, enabling them to help themselves. The center offers recreational and after-school tutoring programs for youth as well as access to several community organizations.

Cape County 4-H Council $2,750

P.O. Box 408

Jackson

(573) 243-3581

The Cape County 4-H is an educational program for youth in the area. 4-H provides enrichment programs for both public and parochial school students. The program collaborates with other youth-serving agencies to establish programs like county fairs, Missouri citizenship workshops and multi-county teen retreats.

Cape Public School Children's Fund $2,500

61 N. Clark

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-1867

The Cape Public School Children's Fund provides medical and health related services for children in need in the public school, which enhances their ability to learn.

Cape Senior Center $12,000

P.O. Box 1665

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-1352

The Cape Senior Center promotes the well being of those age 60 or older by providing nutrition and social interaction at the center and through homebound meals. The center served over 42,000 meals in the past fiscal year and offers recreational activities, exercise, nutrition education and other related activities.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) $5,000

1111 Linden

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-1726

CASA represents children's best interests in the 32nd judicial circuit. The organization trains volunteers to represent children in court proceedings and to conduct investigations on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Southeast Missouri Easter Seal Society $27,500

1912 Broadway

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-1114

The Easter Seal Society works with individuals and their families to enhance the independence and quality of life of children with disabilities from birth to age 6. They provide children with special education, speech pathology and occupational therapy.

Gibson Recovery Center, Inc. $35,000

P.O. Box 1267

Cape Girardeau

(573) 334-5513

Gibson Recovery Center provides and social detox program, substance abuse treatment services and primary residential recovery program for substance dependent individuals. The center also provides an outpatient program.

Girl Scouts Otahki Council $41,250

1432 Kurre Lane

Cape Girardeau

(573) 334-7741

The Girl Scouts encourages girls to be the best they can by providing opportunities and experiences to aid them in making positive life choices. They provide programming in areas of math, sciences, environmental studies, music, healthy lifestyles, camping and outdoor fun.

Habitat for Humanity $10,000

P.O. Box 1122

Cape Girardeau

(573) 651-9353

Habitat for Humanity provides "a hand up, not a hand out" to families by building a house adequate for their needs. Families participate in the construction of the home along with volunteers from the community.

Hoover Eldercare $7,000

805 N. Sprigg

Cape Girardeau

(573) 290-5944

Hoover Eldercare provides adult day care and supportive services to adults 60 years and older to prevent premature institutionalization. Services include day care, transportation, recreational activities and daily living education.

Information and Referral Network $7,500

East Missouri Action Agency

1111 Linden

The Information and Referral Network will provides information regarding services, resources and volunteer opportunities available in Cape Girardeau through a toll-free telephone number, which should be in operation July 1.

Jackson Ministerial Alliance $3,000

303 E. Adams

Jackson

(573) 243-3323

Jackson Ministerial Alliance provides emergency assistance to individuals in crisis situations. They maintain a food pantry and food vouchers for the hungry. They provide temporary housing for the homeless and other services for those in need.

Jackson R-2 Children's Fund $4,500

Primary Annex 444 W. Jefferson

Jackson

(573) 243-9553

The goal of the Jackson R-2 Children's Fund is to have happy, productive, healthy students with good self esteem. They help needy children reach their educational potential by providing shoes, clothing, food and medical care.

Jackson Senior Center $11,000

402 E. Washington

Jackson

(573) 243-4241

The Jackson Senior Center provides an environment to improve the quality of life for persons over age 60. They provide a food pantry for low income and unemployed seniors, a phone reassurance program, meals for homebound seniors and health services.

Lutheran Family and Children's Services $17,500

2911 Breckenridge Dr.

Cape Girardeau

(573) 334-5866

The Lutheran Family and Children's Services provide counseling services to families in Southeast Missouri. They facilitate foster care placements, adoptive placements and crisis assistance and other family and individual services.

Radio Information Services $2,000

615 1/2 S. Washington St.

Carbondale, Ill

(618) 549-5604

The Radio Information Service is a closed-circuit radio service for the blind. They provide a radio receiver for those in need of this free service. The programming includes readings of local newspapers and novels, and they broadcast 20 hours a day.

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) $5,000

1143 N. Kingshighway

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-7555

RSVP provides recruitment and placement of retired persons in volunteer services to maximize seniors' talents, personalities and work skills. These volunteers assist in 96 work stations varying from schools to law enforcement agencies.

Safe House for Women $20,000

P.O. Box 1167

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-7745

This organization's goal is to stop domestic violence by raising community awareness. The Safe House provides a 24-hour hotline, shelter, food, counseling, crisis intervention and self-esteem enhancement programs.

Salvation Army $55,000

P.O. Box 802

Cape Girardeau

(573) 335-7000

The Salvation Army provides food for the needy, rent and utility assistance, emergency and transient lodging, meals, clothing and other services.

Scott City Nutrition Center $2,500

105 Hickory

Scott City

(573) 264-3402

The Scott City Nutrition Center promotes the well being of those who are 60 years of age or older by providing nutrition and social interaction at the center and through homebound meals.

SADI (SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, Inc.) $2,000

SADI encourages individuals with disabilities to achieve control over their lives. They provide advocacy, peer counseling, independent living skills training and community education.

United Way programs $17,363.95

Money and time spent on projects outside fund raising, like the upcoming volunteer appreciation recognition, development of the Information Referral Network, and implementation of the Success by 6 program.

Total $463,554.95