Local contributors donated $901,065 to the Area Wide United Way during its 2000 "Make Someone Happy" fund-raising campaign -- a record and a 10 percent increase from last year's campaign total.

In addition, Bank of America has agreed to provide a $30,000 grant for the United Way's Success by 6 program.

The campaign announcements were made Wednesday evening during a celebration ceremony in the Dempster Hall atrium at Southeast Missouri State University.

Even though the United Way fell short of its 2000 campaign goal of $925,000, organizers were pleased with the amount that raised and the efforts of everyone who contributed.

Campaign Chairman Kevin Govero commended employee campaigns, volunteers and others for their donations of money and time.

"You folks did a great job because we set an aggressive goal this year," he said, referring to the organization's goal of having a million-dollar campaign in the near future.

More groups to get funds

United Way executive director Nancy Jernigan was pleased contributions exceeded last year's total and that the United Way will fund an additional five organizations this year because of the contributions.

"Our goal every year is to raise more money than the year before," she said. "This year is a significant increase, and we're pleased about that."

In 1998, the United Way raised about $690,000, and the 1999 campaign generated about $818,000. The first United Way campaign in Cape Girardeau was in 1954, which raised about $53,000.

Jernigan said other United Way organizations are reporting slow 2000 campaigns, with increases of only 3 percent to 4 percent from the previous year.

"We feel we made a significant impact and raised big dollars relative to other communities," she said.

The United Way relies on employee campaigns for increasing the campaign total. This year, more than 90 companies ran internal employee campaigns, and contributions from those companies make up about 75 percent of the campaign.

Procter & Gamble was the largest contributor, raising more than $247,000. The Scott City School District was recognized for having a successful first-time campaign of $3,883.

The United Way recognized six companies for having outstanding campaign increases from last year. Ralston Purina and Golden Cat raised $6,000, BioKyowa raised $13,990, The Associates raised $6,446, Capaha Bank raised $1,904, Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau raised $9,311 and Nordenia USA raised $31,986.

Jernigan said the organization is allocating funds based on the community's four top needs -- transportation, affordable housing, youth substance abuse and assistance to low-income families.

The top five agencies funded:

* American Red Cross Emergency Services program, $77,500,

* Salvation Army's Assistance to Individuals program, youth programming and disaster assistance, $63,000,

* Girl Scouts Alternative Membership program, Contemporary Issues program and Pave the Way program, $47,000,

* Boy Scouts Traditional Scouting program, $40,000, and

* Gibson Recovery Center outpatient and residential services programs, $35,000.

Other organizations that received funding include the Association for Retarded Citizens, Cape Girardeau County 4-H, the Cape Girardeau Senior Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Civic Center Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, Habitat for Humanity, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Safe House for Women, Scott City Children's Fund and Teen Challenge.

Jernigan said the United Way is establishing benchmarks to determine what effect its funding is having on local organizations.