United Way celebrates another good year

The Area Wide United Way is an important component of our community, and it's gratifying to see it succeed.

At its annual meeting, the United Way announced it had surpassed its fund-raising goal for 2002, with total contributions totaling $928,045. That's more than $30,000 above the goal.

The United Way is successful because of the people involved, and the Spirit Awards show that.

At the meeting, Dennis Marchi of Schnucks received the Spirit of Giving Award, which is presented to a community volunteer that has served the United Way as a member of the board or campaign cabinet for a minimum of 10 years. Marchi has put in 16 tireless years in many leadership roles.

St. Francis Medical Center was presented with the Spirit of Community Award, which goes to a business that has supported the United Way for at least 10 years. St. Francis was the second-largest contributor in 2002, raising more than $87,000.

The Spirit of Caring Award goes to a United Way-funded agency that promotes and embraces the mission of the United Way. The Association of Retarded Citizens was presented that award, which was accepted by Hilary Schmittzehe.

The group and its supporters should be proud of what they have accomplished.