Despite tragedy, our United Way needs help

The normally festive spirit of the Area Wide United Way's 2001 campaign kickoff was missing this year, not because the goal of its annual fund-raising drive was lowered by $50,000 from last year but because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the nation.

United Way officials were set to announce the campaign on Sept. 11. That was before two commercial jets hijacked by terrorists slammed into the World Trade Center towers in New York, a third hijacked jet was flown into the Pentagon in Washington, and a fourth jet crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers overtook the hijackers. The attention of every American turned to the tragic events of that day, and the United Way announcement was put on hold.

Three days later, with the nation still in shock, United Way officials gathered beneath the American flag of the Veterans Memorial in Cape Girardeau County Park to announce the 2001 campaign. But it was a solemn gathering that featured silent prayer for the victims of the attacks and the singing of "God Bless America."

Although the United Way message largely became lost in the events of that week, it is a message that needs repeating time and again if the agency is to achieve its 2001 goal of $875,000. It is off to a good start: More than $150,000 already has been raised. But it will need the participation of the entire community if the goal is to be met, or better yet surpassed.

The tragedy has not altered the campaign's direction, because United Way officials and its many volunteers know how important the drive is. All the money raised will be used locally to help fund 53 programs within 32 agencies. And some of those agencies are faced with smaller budgets because of reduced funding from other sources.

This year's campaign, "Make Someone Happy," focuses on the end results of United Way giving, and every donated dollar will do just that. The campaign has put more than $11 million into the community since it began in 1953.

While Americans try to find some normalcy in their lives following the events of Sept. 11 and await the uncertainties that might lie ahead, we must remember there are still needs close to home. The local agencies funded by the Area Wide United Way rely on the generosity of those who every year see to it that their needs are met, and the community can be expected to do so again despite these trying times.