The Area Wide United Way campaign is close very close to meeting its goal for the 1991 fund-raising campaign.

On Friday, the United Way had reached 97 percent of its goal by raising $454,000. This year's goal is $470,000.

Campaign chairman Harry Rediger, said, "That's so close. We're making some progress every day."

This week the United Way Board of Directors plans to meet to allocate funds to the 25 community agencies who are part of United Way.

"It's critical that we get every dollar in as soon as we can so we know what kind of funds we can allocate."

On a positive note, Rediger said, this year's campaign is already the biggest in the history of Cape Girardeau County.

"It tops a record campaign last year," he said. "We continue, year after year, despite news of the economy. Every year the citizens of the area continue to give more to the United Way. That gives us a real positive feeling."

Although the campaign has raised more dollars than last year, Rediger would really like to reach the goal set for this year.

Volunteers with the organization are working to bring in every possible donation.

"We've still got over a dozen corporate accounts outstanding," Rediger said, "over 20 patron outstanding, two employee groups and a host of professionals outstanding."

He estimated that if each of these groups gave at least what they gave last year, it would total over $10,000.

"We had a lot of good increases that came early in the campaign," Rediger said. "I feel we will reach our goal."

For information about donating to United Way, call the United Way office at 334-9634.