VIP has come a long way in its 30-year history. Its beginnings can be traced back to the early '60s when concerned parents of mentally handicapped young people, including Hilary Schmittzehe, who is now VIP's chief operating officer, began looking for meaningful activities for their children beyond high school.

These members of the Association for Retarded Citizens set up a not-for-profit corporation and opened the Cape Girardeau Community Sheltered Workshop, which would become VIP Industries.

It wasn't long before they began getting requests from other counties for services. At first, clients were bussed in from as far away as St. Genevieve and Bollinger counties. Eventually, satellite plants were located in Marble Hill, Perryville, Fruitland and Lutesville.

In all cases, including the operation in Cape Girardeau, the county owns and maintains the buildings and VIP operates the sheltered workshop.

The construction on the Cape Girardeau plant's present location at 1330 Southern Expressway was completed in 1977.

Other significant developments in its history include:

In 1980, VIP purchased a tractor, flat-bed trailer and van trailer with federal grant money. This was the beginning of a transportation fleet for moving the companies finished and unfinished products. VIP currently has six tractors, 47 trailers and 44 other transportation vehicles.

In 1980, VIP began a recreation program for its employees, operated through ARC. Activities such as dances, picnics and parties encourage social interaction.

Today, VIP Industries continues to grow, but its goals for employees remain the same:

* Clients learn they are responsible for a given amount of work for a given amount of time.

* They find themselves in a position to make friends with people with similar handicaps.

* The work broadens clients' horizons away from home.

* It enables clients to contribute to their family's welfare by enhancing their personal worth and dignity.

* It encourages client to take pride in their work.