UNITED WAY SETS FUND-RAISING SIGHTS ON $500,000 TARGET

Under the theme "Paint a Brighter Tomorrow," United Way campaign chairwoman Donna Hanschen Wednesday challenged volunteers to pick up their brushes.

About 100 people gathered at the Drury Inn to kick off the fund-raising campaign. Hanschen said this year's $500,000 goal is only $7,000 more than the amount raised last year.

Barb Goworowski, general manager of Ameritech's rural Missouri division, was keynote speaker at the luncheon. Ameritech has been a generous contributor to the United Way, and Goworowski is active in several volunteer projects.

She moved to St. Louis from Chicago a year ago and works with Ameritech offices in Southeast and Western Missouri. It is the first time Goworowski has worked in a rural area.

"I am amazed by the sense of stability, town spirit, community pride and sense of ownership in this area," she said.

She stressed that while participating in United Way is good for the community, it is also good for businesses by promoting teamwork among the staff and building corporate identity in the community.

A Day of Caring, scheduled for Sept. 20, will give area professionals the opportunity to see where their money goes. Volunteers will work with various charities helped by United Way to see what each does to benefit the community.

Area businesses are asking employees to have small amounts of money deducted from their paychecks each week for United Way. About $40,000 has been raised so far.

The local United Way supports 24 area charitable organizations, including those that aid the mentally challenged, homeless and otherwise disadvantaged.

United Way board members hope to raise the $500,000 by Dec. 1, but will accept donations as long as it takes. A sign to be erected outside the office at 1858 Broadway will keep people informed about how much money has been raised.