ABOUT 60 GROUPS, BUSINESSES SIGN UP FOR `RANDOM KINDNESS'

If the first two days of the awareness campaign are any indication, Random Acts of Kindness Week is going to be quite popular in the Cape Girardeau region.

About 60 businesses, organizations, churches and schools have already signed up to participate in the week, which is scheduled May 12-18.

The initial list of participants is quite varied, said Joni Adams, managing editor of the Southeast Missourian, which is sponsoring the week.

"People are really excited about the possibilities," said Adams.

Banks, schools, retail establishments, a hotel, law firm, churches, several restaurants, two travel agencies, a manufacturing firm and a hospital are just a few of the participants. Individuals in both Cape Girardeau and Jackson have expressed interest in the campaign.

"We're asking groups to fill out a form indicating their participation," said Adams. "They don't have to tell us what they're going to do now. We just want to know that they're going to participate."

About 600 forms were mailed to businesses, organizations, churches and schools over the weekend. Another 500 forms were faxed to Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce members. Nearly 1,000 additional letters will be mailed to businesses at the end of the month.

Participation forms are also available at the Southeast Missourian and a form will run in Friday's newspaper.

"Kindness packets" are available at the Southeast Missourian free of charge.

The packets include a list of 60 Random Acts of Kindness ideas that have been performed in other communities, brochures outlining the week, including a history of the national celebration; bookmarks, teacher guides, participant posters and colorful stickers that proclaim: "I Practice Random Acts of Kindness."

"We're also looking for the names of people who perform kindnesses in our community to feature on our special pages during the week," said Adams.

For more information or story ideas, call 335-6611, Ext. 121.

Random Acts of Kindness participants

Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society

Garber's Men's Wear

American Red Cross

Designing Travel Inc.

Show Me Center

Elite Travel Inc.

Cape Girardeau Central High School

Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield

Credit Bureau Services

Jayson Jewelers

Ervins Metal Smith

Ryder Truck Rental

Thomas L. Meyer Realtors

Premier Rent to Own

St. Francis Heart Institute

Magnetic Collectables

SEMO Molding Co.

U.S. Senators Bond and Ashcroft's Cape Girardeau office

Advanced Business Systems

Wolohan Lumber Co.

The Salvation Army

Bo Shantz State Farm

ERA Cape Realty

Mutual of Omaha

Option Care

Long John Silvers

Raben Tire

Kentucky Finance

Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems

W.E. Walker Co.

Cape Prosthetics-Orthotics Inc.

Huckstep Body and Paint Shop Inc.

Davis Glass Co. Inc.

Thorngate Ltd.

Project Charlie in Cape Girardeau

Adult Learning Center

West Lane Elementary School in Jackson

May Greene Elementary School

Franklin Elementary School

Project Charlie in Jackson

K103/KZIM

Union Planters Bank

Ken Miles Insurance

First Assembly Church Sunday School class

First National Bank

JCPenney

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Children's Bazaar

Sandy's

Drury Lodge

Community Caring Council

Excelsior Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau

Renal Treatment Center

Foeste Masonry Inc.

Buerkle, Beeson, Ludwig, Wilson & Jackson law firm

Third Street United Methodist Church

First American Home Care

St. Francis Medical Center

Fracilities Management Department at Southeast Missouri State University

Associate for Worksite Health Promotions at Southeast Missouri State University

Join the list by calling 335-6611, Ext. 121