DECATUR - If decorating a birdhouse were an Olympic event, then the 8- to 11-year-olds at Decatur Day Care went for the gold.

Their entry in a friendly competition last month featured the Chinese symbol for harmony along with the names and flags of countries competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

"We thought it was a good idea," said 8-year-old Tania Peete of Decatur, who fashioned a 2-inch nest for the perch from raffia ribbon. "I hope ours wins."

Her hope was not only realized, but the contest among the center's eight classrooms was a winner as well. With parents and children voting for their favorite birdhouses with cash, the activity helped Decatur Day Care raise nearly $5,000 for the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois.

Using the organization's new "Live United" theme, the center was one of eight United Way agencies that ran their campaigns in advance to set the pace for the 2008 United Way campaign, which kicks off today.

"We usually recruit businesses to be our pacesetters, but we went in a new direction this year," said Tia White, resource development director. "We can't ask people to invest in us if we aren't willing to invest in ourselves."

Indeed, the participating agencies are among the 23 eligible to receive United Way funds to operate programs meeting basic needs, developing youth or improving access to health care.

The amounts awarded for the year beginning July 1, 2009, largely depend on how much money the campaign raises, with the 2008 goal to be announced at the campaign kickoff dinner tonight. White said the Decatur area's economic climate and increased need have been taken into account in setting a "realistic" goal.

The $2,439,315 raised by the 2007 campaign fell short of last year's $2.5 million goal and the mark set by the 2006 campaign of more than $2.56 million.

The campaign cabinet also will be introduced tonight, including Chairwoman Julie Gahwiler, general manager of DCT Industrial Supply Co., and Vice Chairwoman Amber VanMeter, business manager for Decatur Memorial Hospital's emergency care center.

The 21-member cabinet is about twice as large as last year's in an attempt to boost giving.

"Our research shows there are close to 570 businesses we've never reached out to, and there's a large pool of the community that has never given individually," White said. "It's unrealistic for 10 or 11 people to do all that."

Other pacesetters this year included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, Catholic Charities of Decatur, Community Health Improvement Center, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Council, the Salvation Army and the corporate participants, UPS and Exelon/Clinton Power Station.

This was the Community Health Improvement Center's second year as a campaign pacesetter, and special activities last month, including a high school photo guessing game, soup cook-off, barbecue luncheon and basket raffle, put the total collected at more than the $8,800 raised last year.

"Being a pacesetter has given us our largest campaign totals ever," said Shawna Cole, human resource manager.

Girl Scouts had some fun fundraising activities the week of Aug. 18, had all nine of its employees making pledges and raised $2,966, 6 percent more than last year, said Holly Crotty, communications/fund development specialist.

At Decatur Day Care, all 35 employees pledged $4,037, a board member gave $100, casual days raised $89, and the birdhouse contest raised $750, for a grand total of $4,976.

Executive Director Janice Baldwin said the winning classroom will get a party of its choice. "I'm so proud of everyone for giving back," she said.

Kevin Collins, one of the most generous voters, was disappointed to hear that the 8- to 11-year-olds won, raising $228, but was not sorry about the investments he made to put his children's classrooms over the top.

"I wrote a couple checks for the toddler room and one for the infant room," Collins said. "But the United Way is a good cause, and Decatur Day Care does an excellent job with my kids."

tchurchill@herald-review.com|421-7978