The local Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign isn't shining as bright as it could be.

As of Sunday, Cape Girardeau Salvation Army Capt. Elmer Trapp said, the campaign for the needy had raised $60,000 of its $100,000 goal. Though more than halfway to the goal, the campaign is actually four or five days behind where it needs to be, said campaign Chairman Bob Neff.

Neff said the campaign should be at the $70,000-plus mark by now, or even close to $75,000.

Both said they are concerned but optimistic. The campaign wraps up Christmas Eve.

"I'm not pushing the panic button yet," said Trapp. "It still is attainable by Christmas Eve. (But) the giving needs to intensify."

Neff said, "We're still optimistic that the community will come through like they have in the past, but we're considerably behind."

Volunteers and paid workers, with hand bells and donation kettles, collect money for the Tree of Lights campaign outside local stores. Trapp said donations are collected at Cape Girardeau stores such as Kmart, Del-Farm National, Sears, the two Storey's Food Giants, and the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Wal-Mart stores.

The money goes at Christmas time for food and toys for the needy and to purchase gifts for shut-in people and nursing home residents. What remains is used throughout the year to provide the needy with food, shelter, utility bill and rental assistance, prescriptions, school supplies, fans, and heaters.

Neff stressed all the money collected goes to community residents. The money makes up a third of the local Salvation Army's budget, Neff said.

"In other words the success of the Tree of Lights campaign is an indication of what type of year we're going to be able to have," he added.

The army is expected to assist more than 25,000 this year, Neff said. But if the campaign falls short of the goal, "there will be people who are needy who won't be served," he said.

As of Sunday, 1,800 people had signed up for Christmas assistance from the Salvation Army, Trapp said.

Although the application period is over, Trapp said those needing assistance should call the Salvation Army office at 335-7000.

The $100,000 goal is based on the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle bell ringers, Neff said.

Donations can be mailed to the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign at P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau. The organization is also in need of canned food and new toys for children. They can be brought to the organization's office at 701 Good Hope.

Trapp said Salvation Army volunteers are in the midst of visiting 17 nursing homes and residential care facilities in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, where gifts are given to the residents.