SALVATION ARMY HOPES TO RAISE $220,000 IN HOLIDAY TREE OF LIGHTS CAMPAIGN

While other people decorate their Christmas trees with garland, glowing balls and homemade ornaments, the Salvation Army spares no expense on lights.

Lots of lights -- bright, colorful bulbs -- adorn an enormous evergreen tree outside the West Park Mall. The lights serve as a visual reminder of the goal for helping others through the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign, event organizers say.

Dozens of people gathered outside West Park Mall Sunday evening to see the official lighting of the tree during a 20-minute lighting ceremony. Many were waiting in line to shop during a benefit for local charities. This year's fund-raising goal is $220,000 for the Tree of Lights campaign.

With more people coming to the Salvation Army Center on Good Hope Street, more money is needed to offer assistance, said the Maj. Robert Gauthier. The goal is $20,000 more than last year's goal and will make up about one-half the Army's yearly budget."It helps not only at Christmas but throughout the year," he said.

During the past two years, the campaign goal has risen to help with increasing calls for rent or food assistance. The Salvation Army will also provide toys and Christmas food baskets to nearly 1,000 families in Southeast Missouri and parts of Southern Illinois.

Miss Missouri Patryce "Patches" King said the Salvation Army has helped her in numerous ways over the years. King is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University."They've helped my faith and many things that I can't even go into," she said. "I've grown spiritually and as an individual."The Tree of Lights fund raising helps the Salvation Army offer more than just physical assistance for shelter, food or clothing. It also provides funding for spiritual programs at the center at 701 Good Hope.

Many of the carolers in the Salvation Army No Limits choir were once members of the Sunbeams and Sunday school programs, said Maj. Joyce Gauthier.

While the lighting ceremony came just a few days before the official start of the holiday shopping season, shopping wasn't the primary concern for Joyce Gauthier.

She's still planning the menu and finding enough volunteers for the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Salvation Army. More than 600 people are expected to attend the meal. Serving begins at noon.

Donations are still needed for the meal, she said. There are no rolls or bread for the meal yet and more desserts are needed. Also, Gauthier still needs 10 hams to complement the multitude of turkeys she's been basting for the past week. Staff at Southeast Missouri Hospital also baked 19 of the turkeys for the meal.

Drivers are needed to deliver meals and help with carryouts. To volunteer for the dinner, call 335-7000 or stop by the center at 701 Good Hope on Thanksgiving Day. Donations can also be mailed to the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign at P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.