UNITED WAY MARK

In a fitting send-off for Dorothy Klein, the Area Wide United Way reached its $500,000 fund-raising goal for 1995.

Klein resigned at the end of 1995 after 18 years at the agency, 15 as United Way's executive director. During her tenure, the annual fund-raising goal has increased from $154,900 to this year's goal of $500,000. In past years, contributions have fallen short of the goal. That the goal was met this year is a tribute to the people of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City who recognize the vital service United Way provides in the area.

Thanks to the successful 1995 campaign, United Way will be able to help 24 agencies provide services to needy residents. Klein deserves praise for the job she has done at an agency that must compete for a limited cache of donations. By reaching its goal, the Area Wide United Way affirms its good track record and the community's support for programs that work.

That should encourage Nancy L. Jernigan, who replaced Klein on Jan. 1, the 24 agencies who will benefit from the money raised and, ultimately, the thousands of people helped by those agencies United Way fuels.