Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 7776 of Cape Girardeau has been awarded a Gold Star rating by the fraternal benefit society in recognition of exemplary volunteer service in the community.

To achieve the highest AAL rating, gold or silver stars, branches must annually sponsor at least one benevolent activity (fund-raising event or work project), conduct at least nine meetings, sponsor one educational activity and one member-awareness event, and comply with AAL's attendance, voting and reporting requirements.

AAL, headquartered at Appleton, Wis., provides its members with fraternal benefits and its affiliated companies offer members mutual funds and credit union services. In addition, AAL members are offered opportunities to help others in their own communities.

Officers of the local branch are Kenneth Paul Popp of Oak Ridge, president; James Hochberger of Jackson, vice president; and Michelle Plummer of Cape Girardeau, treasurer. Branch 7776 is supported by AAL General Agent Jack Hollinsworth of Independence.