UNITED WAY'S GRAND TOTAL ECLIPSES $500,000

The Area Wide United Way 1994 fund-raising drive exceeded $500,000 for the first time ever, allaying fears that the Flood of '93 would weaken contributions.

Pledges totaling $506,833.44 have been received in the just-completed campaign, an increase of about $50,000 over last year.

"It seems the appeals to help flood victims just helped and created greater awareness in the community," said Ollie Miller, president of the United Way Board of Directors.

Miller and about 75 other United Way volunteers gathered Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn to celebrate the announcement. The Cape Central Stage Band provided entertainment.

"Early in the year we had some serious concerns about the goal for '93," Miller admitted.

"We thought with all the appeals there was only so much money to be given," he later said.

That goal of $500,000 was $23,000 higher than last year's goal, which the campaign failed to reach.

Last year, funding to member agencies had to be decreased by 5 percent across the board because the capital campaign fell short of the $477,000 goal. The shortfall was attributed to a weak economy.

The 1993 campaign faced an even greater challenge than this year's, Miller said. "People were thinking, I don't know if I will have a job. That was the general frame of mind."

In announcing this year's bravura performance, campaign chairman Dennis Marchi said volunteers pushed themselves to keep from disappointing the member agencies.

"It was the hardest thing to say to the agencies, We can't do it," he said.

He said volunteers this year "went out like gangbusters."

"...Because of the need of the agencies we made an extra effort of going out there," he said later.

After revealing this year's grand total written on a large banner, Marchi proclaimed the magical half-million-dollar mark no longer insurmountable.

"I hope this may mean more to come," he said.

Though the campaign is formally over, the United Way is still accepting contributions. Allocations for the 26 member agencies will be made at the United Way's Dec. 29 board meeting.

The president of the United Way board during 1994 will be John Mehner, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.