Way to go!

The goal was $53,000 in the region's first United Way campaign in 1954. This year's first-ever goal of $1 million shows how much the organization has grown and how essential it has become to our community. People believe money contributed to the United Way of Southeast Missouri will do some good.

In raising $1,021,000, the organization is completing its most successful campaign ever with more money still to come in. The final accounting is due in early January.

This year, businesses accounted for 93 percent of the contributions to the campaign. The top 20 companies include Procter & Gamble, Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Southeast Missouri State University, Nordenia USA Inc., Southeast Missourian, DANA Corp., Schnucks, KFVS-12/UPN The Beat, Jackson public schools, AmerenUE, Cape Girardeau public schools, city of Cape Girardeau, SBC, Nestle Purina PetCare Co., BioKyowa Inc., Union Planters Bank, United Parcel Service, J.C. Penney Co. and Famous Barr.

Saint Francis Medical Center's employee donations surpassed those of perennial leaders Procter & Gamble for the first time. P&G's overall contribution to the campaign was higher due to a $95,000 gift from the corporation.

The contributors, volunteers, 2004 campaign chairman Mike Smythe and United Way of Southeast Missouri board president Steve Bjelich deserve many congratulations for this success every one of us will benefit from.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri funds 40 programs in Cape Girardeau County, Scott City, Perryville and Marble Hill.