VIP FAIR KICKS OFF 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

VIP Industries will start a year-long celebration today.

More than 250 employees of the not-for-profit company which assembles, packages and mails a number of products at four facilities in the immediate Southeast Missouri area -- Cape Girardeau, Fruitland, Perryville and Marble Hill -- will turn out for the annual VIP Fair, to be held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

"This is always an exciting event," said Debby Erlbacher Steger, public relations directors of Occupational Health Center, and coordinator of the VIP Fair. "This year's fair will kick off a full year of observances for the 30th anniversary of the corporation."

A number of VIP officials work with Steger as event coordinators. They include Darla Craft, vice president-administration of VIP Industries, and Brenda Fluchel and Jennifer Henderson, both of VIP Industries.

Hilary F. Schmittzehe, who helped found VIP Industries, is executive director of the corporation.

The fair activities get under way about 9 a.m. and will continue through about 2 p.m., said Steger.

Events at the park include a moonwalk, dunking tank, horse and buggy rides, pie throw, dance contents, balloon booth, bean bag toss and others.

VIP Industries employs persons either mentally retarded or developmentally disabled.

VIP, which was founded in 1968, performs a service to competitive industries in jobs that are labor intensive, filling some valuable needs for the disabled and the community, said Steger.

"VIP provides jobs and gives the disabled an opportunity to earn a portion of their livelihood," she said.

Each of the participants in today's activities will receive a T-Shirt and a small gift bag.

Also on hand for the celebrations will be Chuck E Cheese, Buckle Up Bear (Cape Girardeau Police Department), Pet Pals from the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri; Clowns (Shriners), and a magician.

VIP Industries was founded in October of 1968, with a budget of $14,000 and 17 handicapped employees.

Today VIP Industries is one of the largest sheltered workshop operation in Missouri, employing more than 250 handicapped employees and a staff of more than 50, serving five counties -- Cape Girardeau, Stoddard, Perry, Bollinger and Scott. The corporation is also one of the "Top 60" employers in Southeast Missouri.

VIP has seven tractors, 51 trailers, 43 vans and three large buses in its fleet of over-the-road trucks.

The corporate plant at Cape Girardeau has a production area of 22,000 square feet and employs about 140 disabled people. The Fruitland operation includes a 22,000 square foot warehoused, and total of 45,000 square feet. It employs 55 people.

The Perryville facility, which specializes in repacking of automotive products, has a 55,000 square foot plant, and employs more than 50 employees. A 15,000 square foot custom packing facility at Marble Hill employs up to 80.