Thanks to United Way campaign volunteers

Last spring, shortly after being named chairman of the United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2008 campaign, I had the opportunity to hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu speak on the subject of volunteerism at the United Way of America's 2008 leadership conference in Baltimore. "Do your little bit of good where you are," he said. "It's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

Now, nearly a year later, I can look back at the recently completed United Way campaign and realize that I had the privilege to work with hundreds of dedicated volunteers and thousands of donors who each did "a little bit of good" to make a significant impact in the quality of life for a multitude of people in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and the surrounding region. And although the campaign fell somewhat short of its financial objective, we were nonetheless successful in raising nearly $1.2 million in donations and pledges. That's the third-highest amount ever raised by a local United Way campaign. Impressive, considering the campaign coincided with the start of a national economic downturn that has had a negative impact on charitable giving across the country.

But the United Way is far more than an annual fundraising campaign. While it's true that the United Way would be hard pressed to function without the generous contributions -- large and small -- from individuals and businesses throughout the area, the campaign is just one facet of what the United Way does. While serving as campaign chair, I could observe firsthand how the United Way truly makes a positive difference in people's lives, perhaps even your own. Because of your support, the United Way is able to pool resources and initiate efforts to strengthen our communities in the areas of health, income and education.

As campaign chairman, I wish to thank many individuals and groups for their roles in the 2008 campaign. First, I want to thank everyone who participated in the 2008 Step Up program, which encouraged donors to give at least a dollar more per week than they did the previous year. More people than ever before did so in the 2008 campaign. Next, because roughly 80 percent of the money raised in the campaign came through employee contributions, I want to thank all the employee campaign coordinators who volunteered their time to run payroll deduction campaigns in their businesses.

Thanks also to local and area media for helping get the word out about the campaign and the United Way in general. Specifically, I want to thank the Southeast Missourian, the Cash-Book Journal, KFVS12, Fox 23 KBSI, Mississippi River Radio, Withers Broadcasting and Charter Communications. Additional thanks goes to Dan Timpe of KFVS12 and Dr. Jim Dufek of Southeast Missouri State University for their efforts on our 2008 campaign video and public service television commercials, respectively.

There are literally hundreds -- even thousands -- of people in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and elsewhere in the area who volunteer every day in a variety of capacities. Among them have been members of my campaign cabinet (Dale Rauh, John Mehner, Jim Maxwell, John Thompson, Janice Lumsden, Heather Brooks, Pat Fanger, Dr. Sam Duncan, Angie Umfleet, Danielle Poyner and Merlyn Pyrtle) and the many volunteers who served as liaisons between the United Way and scores of businesses throughout the area.

And finally, I want to acknowledge the United Way staff -- the glue that holds everything together. Nancy Jernigan and her team have been, and continue to be, a major reason why we have vital community initiatives and programs such as Success by Six, the River Corridor Task Force, the LIFE initiative, First Call for Help, the Youth United Way, the Education Solutions Team, GRACES and the Emerging Leaders Society.

In closing, I wish to note that the week of April 19 is National Volunteer Week, and I am reminded of an appropriate quote, author unknown: "Volunteers are seldom paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." Call the United Way and learn about volunteer opportunities in our communities. Find out how you can "Live United."

Jay Wolz of Cape Girardeau is the 2008 campaign chairman of the United Way of Southeast Missouri.