UNITED WAY FUND DRIVE SHY OF HALF ITS '95 GOAL

With about a month left in its annual fund-raising campaign, the Area Wide United Way has reached 47 percent of its $500,000 goal.

As the deadline nears, public support is crucial, said Donna Hanschen, chairwoman of the 1995 campaign. The different divisions of the campaign "have been working very hard" to reach the goal, she said.

"Individuals can make a difference, especially in the employee division, where over one-half our funds traditionally come from," Hanschen said. "We need everyone's help, especially those who are in leadership roles within our local businesses. They can play a crucial role in employee donations from within the business."

There are four fund-raising divisions within the United Way: corporate, employee, patron and professional.

Hanschen said she expects the goal to be reached.

"I think we'll make it," she said. " We're a little bit behind where I'd like to be. If we can get all the employees and corporations in, we'll make it. It's going to be a tight stretch.

"Overall, I think the campaign's going real well," Hanschen said. Events like the Day of Caring, in which people got a chance to see community agencies at work "make a difference" in the public's response, she said.

"That went really well. I think (Day of Caring) is something that will really grow," Hanschen said.

Dorothy Klein, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, said donations are not lagging for this year's campaign. "In fact, according to our records we're actually 2 percent ahead of where we were last year at this time," Klein said.

Twenty-four agencies serving people in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will be assisted by the Area Wide United Way.

"The services provided by the 24 United Way agencies are both proactive and reactive to the ever-changing needs of our communities," Hanschen said. "It's these agencies which, through funds donated by individuals and corporations to this campaign, enhance the quality of life we enjoy in this part of Southeast Missouri."

Last year's campaign fell $60,000 short of its $520,00 goal, which was "probably not as realistic" for the community as the half-million dollar goal.

In 1993, she said, "we had brought in quite a bit more but we think that was in partial response to the flood."

For more information call the Area Wide United Way at 334-9634.