Giving to United Way

In 2005, the United Way of Southeast Missouri distributed $80,000 to the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross and $65,000 to the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. An additional $18,000 in emergency United Way funding is enabling the two organizations to help refugees from Hurricane Katrina who have landed in Southeast Missouri.

When the United Way set this year's campaign goal of $1,050,000, Hurricane Katrina was just a glimmer in Nature's eye. The needs of the agencies the United Way serves will be even greater this year because of the hurricane. That's why giving to the United Way is all the more important. The desperate need demands that all of us give as much as we possible can.

The United Way of America has set up a special hurricane response fund for donating to disaster relief. Donations will go to front-line relief and to long-term recovery. That phone number is (800) 272-4630.

Through its member agencies, the United Way will be helping refugees from the hurricane for weeks, months and years to come. In the meantime, those agencies must provide continuing services year-round to thousands of beneficiaries.

Please consider make a pledge to the United Way campaign. If you've already pledged, thank you.