VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DAYS OF CARING

Nancy Jernigan believes that people generally want to do good, so she is offering them a chance with the Second Annual Days of Caring.

Days of Caring is a national United Way program that emphasizes volunteer efforts by matching workers with local United Way agencies. Employees who contribute to a company-sponsored donation can see how their money is being spent by volunteering at one of the 20 agencies sponsored by the United Way.

"I expect it to be an eye-opener," said Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way. "If we can get them hooked, then they will go on their own time."

Most of the Days of Caring projects will be done during Sept. 6 and 7. However, volunteers aren't limited to those two days: Since some people couldn't get off during the week to volunteer, the event was moved to two days -- a Friday and Saturday, said Pete Poe, chairman of the board of directors for the Area Wide United Way.

"The idea is that people can see where the money goes and that will have an impact on their giving," Jernigan said, adding that the United Way is not just a fund-raiser. "A lot of people have that concept, but once inside they can see how volunteers help."

Fifteen students from Southeast Missouri State University will conclude their orientation week Aug. 24 by building a house with Habitat for Humanity. Their schedules didn't coincide with the Days of Caring, Jernigan said.

"There are so many programs popping up, I think it's great," she said. "I think you can't have too many." Other programs like National Make a Difference Day and Random Acts of Kindness also foster volunteerism.

Volunteers are still needed to work during Days of Caring. Only one company had responded by Monday afternoon, but several had been invited to participate. Since the first Day of Caring was so successful last year, more companies were invited to volunteer, Jernigan said.

Some of the projects include working with the American Red Cross at a blood drive and organizing the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

In Cape Girardeau, the Days of Caring will take place during the campaign kickoff for the United Way. The fund-raising campaign begins Sept. 4 with a CEO breakfast and a luncheon. Whitey Herzog will speak at both events. During the kickoff, the United Way will announce its 1996 fund-raising goal.

The organization set a $500,000 goal in 1995, which was slightly less than the 1994 goal of $520,000. The organization raised the entire amount last year through employee contributions and a patron blitz.

For more information about the United Way campaign or Days of Caring, contact the Area Wide United Way at 334-9634.