United Way presents community awards

The Area Wide United Way announced its final fund-raising total for 2002 and recognized its supporters with community spirit awards presented at its annual meeting Friday at Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

Larry Dunger, last year's campaign chairman for the United Way, reported $928,045 was raised for 2002, surpassing the goal of $895,000.

"We are encouraged by the success of our annual fund-raising campaign and the increase in people getting involved in caring for our community, particularly in these uncertain times," Dunger said.

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 served on the United Way board for 16 years in many leadership roles.

The Spirit of Community Award goes to a local business that has supported the United Way through the Annual Campaign for the past 10 years. This year's recipient was St. Francis Medical Center, the second-largest contributor to the campaign, raising over $87,000 in 2002. Accepting the award for St. Francis was Steve Bjelich.

The Association of Retarded Citizens received the Spirit of Caring Award, which honors a United Way-funded agency that promotes and embraces the mission of the United Way within its organization through support of the annual campaign. Hilary Schmittzehe accepted the award for the association.

New officers and board members were introduced. New officers are Bjelich, president; Dunger, vice president; Bob Basler, treasurer; and Nancy Jernigan, executive director and secretary. New board members are Kathy Bertrand of US Bank and Janet Esicar of Capaha Bank.

Don Fisher was introduced as the 2003 campaign chairman.

Jernigan noted that last year a community housing coordinator was hired through a partnership formed by the United Way and that the Youth United Way was formed to educate and encourage youths to get involved.

Over 100 local businessmen, campaign volunteers, and agency representatives attended the event sponsored by Wood and Huston Bank. The luncheon was emceed by Dave Courvoisier, news anchor at KFVS 12.