UNITED WAY TEAMS UP WITH RESTAURANTS IN FUND RAISER

The Southeast Missouri chapter of the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Area Wide United Way are teaming up to benefit area non-profit agencies.

On Dec. 1, the two organizations will sponsor the first Restaurants Organized for Charity (ROC '98) campaign. Restaurant association members in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City are being asked to donate a percentage of their sales from that day to the 1998 United Way fund-raising campaign.

Earlier this month, the United Way had raised 30 percent, or $188,407 of its $625,000 goal. Twenty-five agencies will be funded with contributions from the 1998 campaign.

The United Way estimates the agencies it funds reaches one in three people in the region.

"We don't typically appeal to restaurants during campaigns," said United Way director Nancy Jernigan. "We are trying to find a way to involve restaurants in our campaign."

Two restaurants, Cedar Street at Drury Lodge and Port Cape Girardeau, have already committed to participating in the campaign. They are challenging all local restaurants to participate in the United Way's annual fund drive.

Cedar Street general manager Mark Dirnberger, who is also president of the local restaurant association, said no specific donation amount is being requested from restaurants. The goal this year is to see a good participation level, he said.

"We're kind of in new territory here," said Dirnberger. "We just hope that everybody gets involved for a little bit and gives what they can."

School fund raisers often sponsored by local restaurants were the premise behind the ROC '98 campaign. People tend to support those types of projects because they are fun and allow them to gather with friends and acquaintances, said Jernigan.

Although there is no way to estimate the amount of donations the ROC '98 campaign might generate, Jernigan said she expects a good showing because of the dual benefit of the campaign.

"Obviously, since people are so good about eating out, it's a good way to heighten awareness about our campaign," she said. "Restaurants can benefit because people will plan to come out and eat at their establishment on that day, and we'll benefit from the proceeds they generate."