United Way's Businss Blitz is new approach to annual fund-raising efforts

Raising money for a worthy cause has become a little easier than making the "cold call," according to Holly Lintner, United Way of Southeast Missouri's resource development manager, and 2006 campaign chair Jean Mason of AmerenUE.

"We have enlisted the community's best professional sales people to make 'the ask,'" Lintner said. "We feel this new approach will be very well-received by the small businesses in our area and have a great impact on reaching our goal of $1,120,000."

The new approach for the 2006 United Way of Southeast Missouri Small Business Blitz enlists the help of professionals who believe in what they are doing, are courteous and polite and make donors feel good about their donation.

Mason brought the approach to the United Way's attention, saying, "AmerenUE has used this strategy within their company with great results."

A luncheon at Buffalo Wild Wings officially kicked off the 2006 Blitz.

Co-chairmen of the campaign cabinet's patron division, Lee Schlitt, Capaha Bank, and Kevin Fles, First Community Bank, are assisted by teams from US Bank, Capaha Bank, Bank of Missouri, AmerenUE, State Farm, Southeast Missourian, Mississippi River Radio, KFVS12, Copi-Rite and Big River Telephone.

The teams will reconvene early next month to celebrate their successes, recognize talented volunteers and businesses that support the community through the United Way campaign.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri serves as the leader in uniting people and resources around health and human service issues to build a stronger and healthier community.

Contact the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634 for more information or visit the Web site at www.unitedwayofsemo.org.ed.