AREA WIDE UNITED WAY LAUNCHES ANOTHER DRIVE

As the full impact of the natural disasters in Florida and Louisiana are being realized, one uplifting aspect of the hurricane aftermath is the good will Americans have shown for other Americans. We are similarly inspired this time each year by the largess of people in this region who extend a helping hand to others through the Area Wide United Way. This worthwhile organization launched its 1992 fund drive this week, and we are confident that citizens of the area will, as always, give generously.

The Area Wide United Way remains an ambitious undertaking, perhaps because there are so many good things that need doing. It has been eight years since the Cape Girardeau United Way joined with the Jackson Community Chest to create the area-wide agency. In numerous facets of business and government, these neighboring communities look to bond for common betterment. It is the logical extension of this cooperation that the communities pitch in for the equally important purpose of benevolence.

What is remarkable about the United Way is the wide range of people helped by the fund raising project. The young and old, the abused and former abusers, the physically and mentally handicapped ... these are just some of the people who benefit from United Way donations. Twenty-six agencies get funding from the area effort, administrative costs are kept low and all the money contributed by thousands of individuals and businesses is put to good use.

It bears noting that while the national United Way organization has suffered from an administrative scandal (and various controversies in local affiliates have arisen from this isolated circumstance), the integrity of the Area Wide United Way has not been questioned and its support has been steadfast. We believe this indicates a confidence in the people who head this area effort and the way money has been put to use in the past.

This is an agency with a big job, but this is an area with a big heart. The goal for 1992 is $477,000. Economic times are not the best, increasing the demands on United Way agencies and putting a strain on those who contribute. Still, even the toughest times demand an evaluation of the work that needs to be done and the reliability of one private funding arm able to satisfy the needs. We applaud the work of the Area Wide United Way and hope its 1992 campaign proves a success.