United Way overcomes economic odds

That day last September was undeniably exciting.

Supporters sat elbow-to-elbow in the shade of a circus tent enjoying barbecue and cotton candy. An Elvis impersonator with an uncanny resemblance to the real thing wowed the crowd and even kissed a couple of women.

And finally the climax: a skydiver landing in a nearby ball field bearing a banner with the news that the Area Wide United Way planned to raise $895,000 during its 2002 campaign, up from 2001's receipts of $891,965.

But as exciting as they day was, there had to be at least a few sweaty brows in the group, and not just from Missouri's summer heat.

Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties were starting to figure out that the nationwide recession wasn't going to skip our area as so many other economic trends have. There were cutbacks in local businesses and even a few layoffs. Was this really the time to expect an increase in charitable giving?

As it turns out, the answer was a resounding yes.

Not only did the people of our community help the United Way meet its goal in the middle of the recession, they exceeded it by nearly $14,000, contributing $908,653 so far. And the donations continue to come in.

The vast bulk of the funds raised came from 90 local companies that ran internal giving campaigns, allowing their employees to donate through payroll deductions.

And the employees themselves opted to check that box on their United Way forms. Maybe it was just a few dollars each pay period, but that small amount of money adds up to big benefits for our community through the agencies the United Way helps.

Of course, there also were lump-sum donations from people who don't work at places with employee giving programs.

Quite simply, the United Way is the most efficient way to give to several charities in the community at once. While these organizations also do their own fund-raising drives, they depend heavily on the United Way. Meanwhile, donors can feel good about helping several not-for-profit groups, which have been thoroughly vetted by the United Way review process.

By way of reminder, those groups are American Red Cross, APPLE, Association for Retarded Citizens, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club, Cancer Care Fund, Cape Area Family Resource Center, Cape County 4-H Council, Cape Public School Children's Fund, Cape Senior Center, CASA, First Call for Help, Gibson Recovery Center, Girl Scouts of Otahki Council, Habitat for Humanity, Hoover Eldercare, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, Jackson Senior Center, Lutheran Family & Children's Services, Perry County Task Force, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, Safe House for Women, Salvation Army, Scott City Nutrition Center, Scott City R-1 Children's Fund, SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence, Success by 6 and Teen Challenge International of Mid-America.

Special recognition recently went to Procter & Gamble for having the largest corporate donation this year, raising over $206,000, and St. Francis Medical Center for having the second largest, raising over $86,700.

But so many other individuals and companies have been -- and well should be -- applauded for their efforts.

All deserve our congratulations and thanks.