UNITED WAY REACHES 65 PERCENT OF GOAL

The Area Wide United Way has raised 65 percent of its $625,000 fund-raising goal.

Contributions collected so far total $408,250. Twenty-five service agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will receive funding from money raised during the 1998 campaign.

M&W Packaging has joined the campaign program with $20,000 in corporate and employee gifts. The company was named "Newcomer of the Year."

Significant increases in employee contributions were experienced at St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, FruCon, United Parcel Service and the city of Cape Girardeau.

In addition, the United way receives continued support from campaigns at AmerenUE, JCPenney, Ameritech, Sears, Schnucks, Lowe's, Target, SuperValu, Union Planters, Biokyowa, First National Bank, SEMO Banking Center, Delouri Farms, Sam's Club and Lone Star Industries.

Corporate support for the campaign also came from Havco Wood Products, Kasten Masonry, the Hirsch Foundation, Cape Anesthesia Group, MidSouth Steel Products, Cape Abstract & Title, Penzel Construction and River Eagle.

Among United Way supported agencies providing services for children and seniors:

-- Association for Retarded Citizens Inc. provides recreation, developmental training, adult basic education, diagnostic screenings, evaluations and residential living. The program also provides services and counseling for families.

-- Cancer Care at St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital offsets costs of conducting research through the Community Clinical Oncology Program.

-- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) represents children's interests in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Volunteers are trained to represent children in court proceedings and conduct investigations on behalf of abused and neglected children.

-- Gibson Recovery Center Inc. provides social detoxification programs, substance abuse treatment services and primary residential recovery programs for substance-dependent men.

-- Habitat for Humanity provides a hand up to families by building them a house. Families participate in construction of the home along with many other volunteers throughout the community. A no-interest mortgage is created with payments that fit the family's budget.

-- Jackson Ministerial Alliance provides emergency assistance to individuals in crisis situations, maintains a food pantry, provides vouchers for services and temporary housing for the homeless.

-- Radio Information Services provides a closed-circuit radio service for the blind, broadcasting 20 hours a day. The agency gives a radio receiver free of charge to those in need of the services. Programming includes readings of local newspapers and novels.

-- Safe House for Women provides shelter for victims of domestic violence and support for others dealing with domestic violence. A 24-hour hotline, food, counseling, crisis intervention and self-esteem enhancement programs are offered.

-- SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence Inc., encourages person with disabilities to achieve control over their lives through advocacy, peer counseling, independent living skills training and community service education.