UW CAMPAIGN FALLS SHORT OF 1994 GOAL BY $60,000

The Cape Girardeau Civic Center will look at increasing fund-raising efforts rather than increasing programs for teens because the Area Wide United Way campaign is predicted to fall short of its 1994 goal.

The United Way provides more than 90 percent of the Civic Center's annual budget. Fred Pennington said rather than cutting back on programs, he hopes to begin additional fund-raising efforts for the Civic Center, which provides educational and recreational programs for teen-agers.

"We're going to stay motivated," Pennington said. "But any cut back is going to affect us. We'll feel the crunch."

As of Thursday, the United Way campaign was still $63,900 short of its $520,000 goal. The campaign had collected $456,100, or 87.72 percent of the goal.

Campaign chairman Ron Hopkins said a couple of large employee groups, including the Dana Corp. and St. Francis Medical Center, still will be making donations. But he expects the campaign will fall short.

"I think we'll be between 92 and 94 percent of the goal," Hopkins said. "It is disappointing."

Last year, $488,000 was raised plus another $20,000 earmarked for flood relief. She was not taken into custody by sheriff's deputies.

Last year, Hopkins said, the generosity shown to flood victims spilled over to the United Way. The campaign topped its goal of $500,000 by $6,000.

By contrast, volunteerism and contributions are down nationwide this year, he said. Other United Ways are having trouble meeting their goals as well.

Last week, a United Way blitz day raised just $1,500. Hopkins said he was disappointed with the total, but not surprised.

"I think the majority of people have already been hit," he said. "And we are getting close to Christmas."

The United Way Board of Directors meets Dec. 29 to determine how much money each of 26 United Way agencies will receive.

The agencies had requested $565,000 this year. Hopkins said every agency will be hit with funding cuts. He wasn't sure how the cuts will be made, but said an across-the-board cut is likely.

The Gibson Recovery Center receives about 5 percent of its budget from the United Way to help provide drug and alcohol treatment and counseling. Richard Decker said the bulk of the center's budget is state grants to provide service. The center uses United Way money to pay for the facility where services are offered.

Decker said a United Way shortfall will impact the Gibson Center's operation.

"We will have to make it up somehow," he said, "either through other sources or in some way restricting services we provide. Any loss really hurts."