The United Way of Southeast Missouri presented Community Spirit Awards Thursday at its annual meeting as a way to honor those who support and promote community impact. The luncheon was sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital, The Bank of Missouri, Regions Bank and Wood & Huston Bank.

The 2005 Community Spirit Awards acknowledge an individual, a business and a United Way funded partner for their exemplary efforts within the community and through the United Way.

"The people we recognized today truly raise the bar for us in giving back to the community," said Jeff Cunningham, anchorman at KFVS12.

Narvol Randol Jr., vice president of The Bank of Missouri, received the Spirit of Giving Award because of his individual volunteering with community organizations such as the Boy Scouts and SEMO Copper Dome Society. Randol is a member of the Lorimier Society and has served on the United Way board since 1995.

The Spirit of Community Award was presented to the Southeast Missourian for its facilitation of employee community involvement. By matching donated employee funds, the Southeast Missourian contributed a combined corporate and employee gift of $30,000 for the 2004 campaign. The company has contributed to the United Way since the organization's inception in 1954, with a 12 percent increase of funds in the last year.

Caring spirit

The Boy Scouts of America was presented with the Spirit of Caring Award for volunteer support and promoting the United Way annual campaign, and work with other community organizations. The Boy Scouts of America has been a supporting agency of the United Way since its beginning in 1954, and employs 2,600 boys locally in projects such as recycling and visiting nursing homes.

Campaign chairman Mike Smythe and his board, along with the Community Caring Council and local media outlets, were also acknowledged for work in the 2004 fund-raising drive, which has raised more than $1,047,000 to date.

Nancy Jernigan, United Way of Southeast Missouri executive director, hopes in presenting the Spirit Awards that others will be inspired by the recipients and their outstanding efforts to ensure a successful 2005 campaign.

"Thank you for having continuing confidence in our United Way. We won't let you down," Jernigan said to the room full of agency executives and staff, board members, campaign volunteers and local community leaders.

Future United Way efforts include Love INC, a strategy to support churches help their neighbors in need, and the 40 Developmental Assets Initiative, a framework enabling individuals and organizations to nurture competent, caring and responsible children and adolescents.

For more information about the United Way of Southeast Missouri, contact the local office at 334-9634 or visit the Web site at www.unitedwayofsemo.org.

cpierce@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127