UNITED WAY GEARS UP; ROSS AND MILLER CO-CHAIR THE CORPORATE DIVISION

Chairman of the Area Wide United Way corporate division last week visited the Eldercare Center, one of the new agencies to receive United Way dollars this year.

Leading the corporate division are David Ross, manager of the Show Me Center, and O.J. Miller, chairman and chief executive officer of Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau.

The United Way campaign officially kicks off Sept. 4. This year's campaign chairman, Harry Rediger, and his campaign cabinet hope to raise $470,000.

The Eldercare Center and the Safehouse for Women are the two new agencies receiving United Way funds this year.

The Eldercare Center operates under the auspices of the Human Environmental Studies program at Southeast Missouri State University. The center is a social adult daycare and a learning lab for university students.

Ross said: "It seems that every year there is just more needs to be met. Giving to United Way is one way that people can make an active difference in helping people less fortunate than themselves."

Ross moved to Cape Girardeau in 1987 to manage the Show Me Center. Prior to coming to Cape Girardeau, he was an active member of the University of Tennessee's United Way campaign in Chattanooga.

He participated in Southeast Missouri State University's internal United Way campaign his first two years.

For the past two years, Ross has been an active participant in the city-wide corporate division campaign of United Way.

Miller moved to Cape Girardeau from St. Louis a year ago in June to lead Mercantile Bank here and volunteered for his position on the United Way cabinet.

"I've always been very supportive of the United Way personally," Miller said. "And I had worked for the United Way in St. Louis. I agreed to help in any way I can."

Miller said, "The people seemed to be enjoying themselves. One of the nice things about it is that it's just like going into a home rather than an institution.

"The Eldercare Center is the kind of thing we need more of," Miller said.

The United Way helps keep the Eldercare Center, and 24 other agencies operating in the community.

"I think United Way is a great opportunity. Instead of supporting one worthy cause, by making one contribution to the United Way you can support 25 worthy causes."