RESTAURANTS RAISE UNITED WAY FUNDS

Restaurants gave the Area Wide United Way a boost last Monday with its first Restaurants Organized for Charity.

This first year about 25 restaurants participated, raising about $2,000 for the United Way.

This certainly was a great effort for the first year. Members of the Southeast Missouri Restaurant Association hope the participation grows each year. It involved restaurants -- fast food and sit down -- in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

The promotion was successful on several fronts. First, it gave restaurants some well-deserved attention. After all, restaurants are involved in a number of charitable promotions throughout the year with schools, churches and many other community causes.

It also spotlighted the United Way and its campaign. It was a good week for the United Way, which also announced that it topped its goal. Each year the giving is not only increased, but the gifts come earlier. This demonstrates a genuine caring community.

Lastly, in this season of giving, ROC offered an easy way for community residents to support the United Way.

Restaurants Organized for Charity was successful enough that it should become part of the holiday giving tradition.