UNITED WAY SETS $525,000 GOAL

Whether on the baseball field or volunteering for Area Wide United Way, teamwork is essential to getting the job done. And United Way needs teamwork to get the job done, said Whitey Herzog.

Herzog, a former manager for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, spoke to about 225 people Wednesday during the annual Area Wide United Way campaign kickoff luncheon. He also addressed a group of local business leaders at a breakfast Wednesday.

Herzog said he likes going to United Way fund-raisers. "I know that all my money is given to the United Way," he said. "Whether it's $1 or $5, I know where it goes."

Campaign organizers hope to raise $525,000 during the annual campaign, "Paint a Brighter Tomorrow."

"The outstanding thing about baseball and United Way is that every year is a new year and a new goal," Herzog said.

All the money will be used to benefit 19 area agencies and cancer research at St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital. The Area Wide United Way serves agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

The United Way is probably one of the only places that knows where all its money goes, Herzog said. "I'm not even sure where my taxes go."

All the money raised during the campaign is divided between the agencies that request funding through the United Way. However, the United Way doesn't completely fund any of the agencies.

During its 42-year history in the Cape Girardeau area, the Area Wide United Way has raised $8 million to help with community needs.

"It reaches everyone in the community," said Narvol Randol Jr., campaign chairman. "The United Way is a story about hope, help and working together."

When board members started talking about the campaign, teamwork seemed to be a common theme. It then developed into choosing a sports personality as keynote speaker, said Pete Poe, chairman of the board. "Whiteyball is a game where everybody does a little bit," Poe said before introducing Herzog.

More than 100 people are trained and ready to help the United Way reach its goal. The organization is emphasizing employee and employer contributions this year because of the potential for giving, Randol said.

And with plans to raise $525,000, United Way volunteers have a lot of work ahead. The United Way campaign ends in October.

"The ability to give is key," Randol said. The 1996 goal increased by $25,000 over last year's goal.

Some of the increase was attributed to increasing needs and more contributions. The 1995 campaign exceeded its $500,000 goal.

For the last five years, the campaign goal has hovered near the $500,000 mark. "There's not a magic number, but we wanted to break to the next plateau," Poe said. Each year the United Way adds more agencies to its list of recipients.

SETTING GOALS

The Area Wide United Way has raised more than $8 million during its 42-year history in Cape Girardeau. The 1996 goal increased by $25,000 over the last year's goal.

1990

Goal: $505,000

Amount raised: $441,220

1991

Goal: $470,000

Amount raised: $471,319

1992

Goal: $477,000

Amount raised: $446,270

1993

Goal: $500,000

Amount raised: $508,630

1994

Goal: $520,000

Amount raised: $492,225

1995

Goal: $500,000

Amount raised: $504,566

1996

Goal: $525,000