UNITED WAY TOPS '97 GOAL

The Area Wide United Way proved its 1997 mission was more than possible, exceeding its campaign goal by nearly $30,000.

Contributions for the 1997 campaign stood at $579,173.20 as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, said campaign chair Jackie Griffith.

When United Way's board of directors and supporters gathered for a victory party at Dempster Hall on the Southeast Missouri State University campus, Griffith unveiled a sign revealing the preliminary campaign total: $571,023.20.

"Get ready to clap again," she told supporters. "After this was sent to the printer to get this information on here, some more money came in."

The goal for the 1997 campaign was $550,000 -- the highest ever -- and the theme was "Mission: Possible."

"It is a wonderful, exciting feeling to know that there are so many generous people in this area who are willing to give money to this campaign," Griffith said.

The campaign goal will continue to grow as the community's economy and industrial strength expand, said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way.

"Quite honestly, the board feels this community has the potential of getting to $1 million within the next five years," she said. "Some communities our size raise more money; some raise less. We're definitely in the right range, but there's still a lot of potential here."

Donations are still being accepted for the 1997 campaign.

Twenty-four local agencies will be aided through funds from the 1997 campaign.

In addition, several one-time grants will be made available to organizations thanks to eight new employee fund-raising campaigns in the Cape Girardeau-Jackson-Scott City area.

"Last year we funded 11 different groups outside of our agencies with the one-time grants," Jernigan said.

Applications for the one-time grants funded through the 1997 campaign will be made available in the next few weeks, Jernigan said.

Nearly $400,000 of the money raised will be disbursed to the 24 agencies to help them provide programs and services.

Five percent of the money is set aside for emergency funding in case of a natural disaster or other special need, and 15 percent of the funds raised go for operating and campaign expenditures.

Agencies receiving grants through the 1997 campaign are: American Red Cross, APPLE Project; Association of Retarded Citizens;

Boy Scouts; cancer research at St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital; Cape County 4-H Council; Cape Girardeau Senior Center; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Cape Girardeau Civic Center; Easter Seal Society; FISH; Gibson Recovery Center;

Girl Scouts; Habitat for Humanity; Hoover Eldercare Center; Jackson Ministerial Alliance; Jackson R-2 Children's Fund;

Lutheran Senior Center; Lutheran Family and Children's Services; Radio Information Services; RSVP; SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence; Safe House for Women and the Salvation Army.

Major United Way donations

Major donors to the 1997 Area Wide United Way Campaign:

Alliance Blue Cross/Blue Shield $4,905

Ameritech $4,469

Biokyowa $8,723

Cape Girardeau city employees $6,888.90

Cape/Jackson public schools $5,943.02

Dana $25,553

Drury Companies $9,429

Famous $12,425

Havco $4,700

JCPenney $22,000

KFVS $6,488

Lee Rowan $12,614

Lowe's $4,761

Mercantile $7,040

State of Missouri employees $10,350

Procter and Gamble $166,628

St. Francis Medical Center $20,360

Southeast Missouri Hospital $11,567

Southeast Missourian $10,692

SEMO University $16,073

Southwestern Bell $14,652

Target $6,375

Union Electric $22,055

Union Planters $7,145

Sam's Club $6,560

Schnucks $14,206

Sears $9,125

UPS $6,167