UNITED WAY TO CELEBRATE CLOSE OF CAMPAIGN

The Area Wide United Way is hosting a celebration Wednesday to bring the 1993 fund-raising campaign to a close.

The celebration will be held at the Holiday Inn holidome from 4-5:30 p.m.

"We have never had a celebration to conclude the United Way campaign," said Dennis Marchi, chairman of the campaign. "This year, since I'm campaign chairman, we're going to have one."

Marchi said at 5 p.m. he will reveal to total amount raised during the 1993 campaign.

"We will be collecting money right up until that time," he said, "and even afterwards too."

Marchi said the event is open to the public.

"Our goal for United Way was $500,000, the largest goal we have ever set," said Marchi.

But he said the 25 agencies served by United Way had submitted requests totalling over $700,000.

"The need is there," said Marchi. "And the need is increased because there have been a lot of cutbacks in state and federal funding. That makes the United Way's task even more difficult."

The United Way operates in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.