United Way honors area contributors at luncheon

The United Way of Southeast Missouri recognized several local contributors during its annual awards luncheon Thursday at the Jackson Civic Center.

Executive director Elizabeth Shelton told those attending the past year has been successful.

“United Way is becoming a community force,” she said. “We create change.”

Fundraising, she said, is going strong, but more importantly, more than 4,000 children participated in some sort of United Way-affiliated program last year, and more than 14,000 individuals received emergency help.

Kevin Greaser of Alliance Bank, who serves as president of the United Way Board of Directors, received the Spirit of Giving Award.

The Fran Rediger Award of Excellence went to Carolyn Ford Bock for her extensive work within the United Way’s Read to Succeed program, in which adults help children at area schools practice reading.

The Spirit of Caring Award went to the Cape Girardeau Big Brothers Big Sisters, which connects area youths with positive role models.

The Spirit of Community Award went to First Midwest Bank.

Procter & Gamble’s Jake Blatnik was recognized for his leadership work, and Benjie Ferguson and Lee Ann Talley were named Ambassadors of the Year.

Shelton said the people recognized are crucial to keeping the United Way able to help the community. So far, the organization has received $800,000 in pledged donations, and the fiscal year is still not over.

“We need the revenue to do the work, but this celebration is about the people who make that happen,” Shelton said.

Nicholle Hinkle, director of donor relations, said that amount is typical for the United Way.

“It tends to stay pretty consistent,” she said. “Which is good, for all the change that this program does.”

She said the United Way is thankful for all of its partner companies, regardless of how much they are able to give.

“It really depends on how large the workplace is and how long their campaign has been going,” she said.

And for those who want to get involved, Hinkle said the United Way can help.

“A good way to get your feet wet is to get involved with one of the events that we have going on,” she said.

Ladonna Faire, campaign coordinator at First Midwest Bank, said incorporating charity into an office can be doable if it’s fun.

“Giving back is really important to us. We really pride ourselves in being a community bank,” she said. “And it’s easy to do.”

In First Midwest Bank’s case, in addition to the standard in-house fundraising drive, they washed windows in the drive-through bay and charged a fee for the privilege of setting the office radio on a station of the payer’s choice.

“Just little things through the year that tend to help out a lot,” she said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

381 E. Deerwood Drive, Jackson, Mo.