UNITED WAY TOPS 97 PERCENT OF GOAL

The Area Wide United Way fund-raising campaign topped 97 percent of its goal and appears headed to 100 percent of the $550,000 goal.

Jackie Griffith, the 1997 campaign chairman, said that $533,500 has been raised.

"We have our fingers crossed," Griffith said Wednesday. "We may be able to reach our goal before the end of the year."

The United Way raised $534,022 during the 1996 campaign, surpassing the $500,000 goal.

Griffith is confident this year's campaign too will top its goal.

"Increased participation in employee campaigns has allowed us to raise more money than ever raised before in our community," she said.

Griffith gave the fund-raising update during a site visit to Easter Seals, one of 24 service agencies funded by the United Way.

She read a Christmas story to preschoolers, then the youngsters headed out on a field trip to a tree farm.

Carrie Holland, program coordinator for the Easter Seals, explained that children at the center have special needs. Teachers provide speech and language training, occupational therapy, physical therapy and many other services.

Money from the United Way goes directly to services for children, said Chuck Martin, regional executive director for Easter Seals.

"Our budget has an administrative line and a program line. Every penny from United Way goes into the Early Childhood Center for programs," he said.

Children from across the region are served at the Cape Girardeau Easter Seals.

United Way money provides 7 percent of the Easter Seals budget.

"It provides a base we can build on," Martin said.

In addition to the actual dollars, United Way funding serves as a community endorsement for Easter Seals, he said.

"It's a stamp of approval for our program," Martin said. "They have a board of directors from the community. They go over our budget. It shows accountability and also shows we are worthy of receiving United Way funds."

The United Way was developed as a way for individuals to help support a number of agencies with one gift.

An estimated one out of three people in the community have used services offered by at least one of the 24 United Way agencies.

"The key to raising funds for the United way is to educate people about how their donation is put to use," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way.