When the Area Wide United Way kicks off its annual fund-raising campaign Wednesday, volunteers want to field questions and cover all the bases.

At least 100 people are expected to attend the kickoff luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Drury Lodge. Whitey Herzog, former manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, will be the guest speaker for the event's baseball theme. Narvol Randol Jr. is the 1996 campaign chairman.

"The kickoff is to let the community see the campaign," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director. "When I talk to people, they know what the United Way is and feel good about it. What they don't understand is the depth of what we do."

The Area Wide United Way serves as an umbrella organization for 19 different health and human service agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Although the needs have changed since 1957, when the Area Wide United Way began its annual fund-raising campaign, the organization still funds four of its original agencies.

Many of the 19 local organizations funded by the United Way aren't national groups and don't have large budgets, so donations from the United Way are important, Jernigan said.

Tickets for the lunch are available at Boatman's Bank at William, JCPenney's at West Park Mall, Schnuck's on Kingshighway, and the United Way office at 1858 Broadway.

Many of the campaign cabinet members are new to the board and to the campaign, so it makes the event exciting, Jernigan said. This is her first full campaign as director of Area Wide United Way.

"The unknown lends a sense of excitement," Jernigan said. "I really have nothing to judge. I've seen all the data and still call Dorothy almost every day."

When Jernigan began her job in January, she was finishing the 1995 campaign drive with former director Dorothy Klein. It helped to work backwards and learn the system, Jernigan said.

Even though a specific goal has yet to be announced, it is expected to be more than $500,000. Last year, the group raised $500,737 to help "Paint a Brighter Tomorrow." The same theme will be used again this year.

During the year, the United Way board of directors disperses the campaign money to the various agencies that apply for funding. More than 19 different agencies receive the funds, which are collected through the end of October.

"You can touch so many with one gift that you're not obligated to give to all the others," Jernigan said.

A $1-per-week contribution can provide food for a week to a family receiving aid from the American Red Cross, or sponsor eight Boy Scouts to a summer camp, or buy a month's supply of milk and fruit for eight women and their children at the Safe House for Women.

However, the United Way wants to develop relationships with all agencies in the area, Jernigan said. "We want to be the true umbrella organization."

Agencies serviced by the United Way agree to a fund-raising blackout from Aug. 15 until Nov. 1 each year. It can be difficult to raise money when all agencies are trying to raise funds at the same time, Jernigan said.

More individuals contribute to the campaign than companies and their employees, she said. However, employee deductions will take effect in January.

UNITED WAY FUNDING FOR LOCAL AGENCIES

The Area Wide United Way funds 19 local agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

-- American Red Cross

-- Boy Scouts of America

-- FISH Volunteers of Cape Girardeau

-- Southeast Missouri Easter Seal Society

-- Cape County 4-H Council

-- Gibson Recovery Center

-- Girl Scout Otahki Council

-- Jackson R-2 Children's Fund

-- Cape Girardeau and Jackson Senior Centers

-- Habitat for Humanity

-- Hoover ElderCare Center

-- Lutheran Family and Chldren's Services

-- Safe House for Women

-- Salvation Army

-- Jackson Ministerial Alliance

-- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

-- Radio Information Services

-- Association for Retarded Citizens