Sikeston Area United Way is right on schedule

SIKESTON - Collections for the United Way's 2003-2004 campaign are on schedule so far.

"The campaign is coming along fine," reported Glenna Shy, executive director of the Sikeston Area United Way. "With the economy being what it is I think we've done extremely well."

While pledges did surpass the goal, United Way volunteers still have a lot of work to do. "Most of its in pledges - we still have to collect the money," said Shy. "But we're on schedule."

The collection period typically runs from September through December.

"We do have several areas that are not completed and when the solicitor calls we encourage you to make your donation at that time," said Shy. "We realize its holiday time and people are busy but there are agencies that do depend on us. We're hoping the community will come through for us as they always have in the past because the Sikeston area is a generous and caring community."

The United Way distributes the money in April, August and the following January. Things went so well the previous two years, however, that last year's campaign money was all distributed by August.

Betty Corgan, secretary for the Foster Grandparents Program, said their program appreciates the yearly donations from the Sikeston Area United Way.

"It helps a great deal in funding our program," Corgan said. "There's a lot of things we couldn't do for the grandparents without the United Way, and of course the grandparents help the children with tutoring and such."

While United Way funds are not as big a part of the budget for the Kenny Rogers Children's Center as for other agencies, "anything we get is very welcomed and needed, and we appreciate all the support we get from the United Way," said Michelle Fayette, executive director of the Center. "They're wonderful to work with. It's a very good, worthwhile organization."

Chairman Donna Tippy said she believes like the this year's campaign has been another successful one.

"Donna has been a wonderful chairman - we've had great leadership this year," Shy added. "Everyone on the board has worked hard."