VOLUNTEERISM: REDIGER HAS TROUBLE SAYING NO

When it comes to volunteering, Harry Rediger has trouble saying no.

The manager of Cape Girardeau's JCPenney store, Rediger has long been active in civic and charitable affairs spending countless hours a week volunteering his time.

When he's not at work, he's likely to be out working for the good of the community.

Rediger, who has lived in Cape Girardeau for 15 years, has been active in the Area Wide United Way, Vision 2000, the local Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. He serves on the board of St. Francis Medical Center and the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

"Once you get in a pattern of volunteer work, they keep knocking on your door," said Rediger. "The people that do the most work find it tough to say `no.'"

Rediger said all the volunteer work makes for a busy schedule. But, he said, he still finds time to be with the family. "You make time for that, too."

Rediger said he has been involved with United Way for about 25 years. He previously was involved with United Way efforts in Dallas, Kansas City and St. Joseph.

Rediger said JCPenney encourages such volunteer efforts. "The company really encourages its associates to become involved in the community. Some take that challenge and some don't."

He added, "You've got to have a personal commitment in order to do it, too. I have always felt that the volunteer efforts help to build and maintain the quality of life in the city."

Rediger said he gets "great personal satisfaction" from volunteering his time with civic and charitable groups.

"We are helping others and we are also helping ourselves," Rediger said.

Rediger has been particularly active with the local United Way, serving in numerous leadership positions. He has served on the United Way board for 14 years.

Rediger said United Way is unique. "It really is, because it touches so many people and so many different types of crises and problems.

"Most of the money stays in this area," he said of the fund-raising efforts. "Administrative costs are low."

Rediger said he and other United Way volunteers enjoy visiting United Way agencies and seeing the agencies at work.

"I like to be around people, manage people, work with people," said Rediger. "People serving people, of course, that was one of our slogans in United Way."

Rediger said the local United Way campaign has continued to expand over the years.

"We are getting a lot more visibility than we used to have. It used to be a one- or two-month campaign and then it died down for the rest of the year. Now there is virtually an event every month of the year," he said.

And that suits the volunteer-minded Rediger just fine.