NATCHEZ &045; United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou has just one wish this Christmas season &045; money to help fulfill the wish lists of other area organizations.

&uot;We are grateful for all of the financial donations we’ve received so far,&uot; said Barbara Winkworth, a United Way board member. &uot;It touches so many different kinds of needs in the community.&uot;

United Way is winding up its 2003 fund-raising campaign, a more low-key effort than in the past. That is in large part because the board has spent the last several weeks searching for a new director to replace Monica Lynch, who left to take another job.

But the board has just hired Rhonda Souderes Stevens.

United Way acts as an umbrella fund-raising organization for 21 agencies.

&uot;I feel like my dollar goes so far when I give to United Way,&uot; Winkworth said. &uot;We hope that (the United Way fund drive) cuts down on the requests for money that people receive.&uot;

United Way is in the middle of its current campaign, and members of the board have picked up the slack for the lack of a director by visiting businesses themselves to seek requests.

Last year, United Way fell short of its fund-raising goal, likely a result of job losses throughout the area.

This year, with International Paper closing its doors, the organization needs money more than ever.

&uot;It’s a real Catch-22,&uot; Winkworth said. &uot;I have a lot of people say, ‘I’m sorry. I’m hurting, too, and I can’t give anything this year.’ But that’s no reason to stop trying.

&uot;Those of us who are blessed with a job need to do what we can. We need to keep the community growing and thriving. Š For now we need to take care of one another.