TIME TO SUPPORT UNITED WAY

Once again residents of Cape Girardeau County and parts of Scott County will be called upon to contribute to the Area Wide United Way campaign, which last week embarked upon its 43rd fund-raising effort.

What an effort it has been: United Way has raised $8 million for the many local agencies it has supported since the campaign began. That is a sizable sum that has gone a long way in providing services to countless numbers of people over the years.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog issued an infectious challenge to the 225 people who attended the United Way kickoff luncheon Wednesday. United Way volunteers now must do the same as they embark upon trying to raise the United Way's goal of $525,000 over the next year.

Nineteen agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City and cancer research at both Cape Girardeau hospitals will benefit from United Way dollars.

Let us hope the campaign goes as well as last year's did when United Way topped its $500,000 goal by $4,566. That can happen again this year with the support of those on whom United Way relies: every citizen who cares enough to give to the necessary agencies and programs that depend upon a portion of their funding coming from United Way.