United Way lowers annual goal

The mood was more reflective than celebratory Friday as the Area Wide United Way announced its 2001 fund-raising goal of $875,000 Friday.

Originally scheduled for Sept. 11, the organization postponed the annual fund-raising kick-off after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and made a deadly strike on the Pentagon.

Normally a festive, high-spirited occasion, the mood of this year's kick-off was somber, beginning with a moment of silent prayer and ending with a small crowd softly singing "God Bless America."

After setting its sights last year on $925,000 and missing, the United Way set a more modest goal Friday.

"We learned our lesson," said executive director Nancy Jernigan. "It's important to set a goal that is challenging, but achievable."

This year organizers were more careful, and meeting with its top 20 corporate accounts and using their projections on what they expect to raise.

In light of the tragedy on the East Coast, the United Way has waived its restriction on the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross from raising money during the last three months of the year.

The national organization has allocating special disaster relief fund called the September 11 Fund.

But the Area Wide United Way is primarily a local organization.

"We still have local issues and we still need to support them," Jernigan said. Above this year's goal of $875,000 the staff's internal goal is to raise more than last year's $901,000.

It will be a challenge, especially with fewer big corporate gifts, Jernigan said. "But there's still a lot of potential in this community."

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160