United Way gives thanks to CEOs, starts fund raising

The Area Wide United Way unofficially kicked off its 2001 "Make Someone Happy" fundraising campaign Thursday afternoon with the annual CEO luncheon at Drury Lodge.

The luncheon served as a way for the Area Wide United Way to show its appreciation to the local CEOs and business owners who support it and its cause.

David Darnell, president of the 10-state central region of Bank of America delivered the keynote address, which stressed the importance of raising goals for the campaign each year.

Darnell, who lives in St. Louis and is in charge of the United Way 2001 campaign in that area, encouraged those who attended the luncheon to raise their goals 10 percent each year. He said when he leaves an agency that the United Way supports he often asks himself, "If I don't help, why would I expect anyone else to? And, is my community not worth 10 percent more this year than last year?"

Praising the United Way and its various programs, Darnell challenged the community leaders to take action and increase donations and personal leadership within the community.

"The real heroes of the United Way are you, who give up your resources to help," he said.

Cheryl Robb-Welch, from the Safe House for Women, also spoke at the luncheon. The Safe House is one of the 32 local agencies that the United Way supports, and Robb-Welch said that without its support, many women's lives would be very different.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 128