With its organization in place, the Cape Girardeau Senior Center's capital campaign fund drive is ready to roll.

However, the mercury has yet to rise in the thermometer-style gauge mounted outside the center to record the funds raised.

Cleo Mabrey, chairman of the drive, said, "We are in the process of soliciting, but we haven't made that big a splash as far as receipts. Hopefully now that the organization is intact, we will have something to report real soon."

The goal for the fund drive is $500,000 to pay off construction costs for the new Senior Center building at 921 N. Clark.

So far the campaign has generated about $17,000, but Mabrey enthusiastically anticipated the months to come.

"It's going very slowly to get $500,000. It takes some big contributions," he said. "We've gotten some nice contributions, but the big ones are still out there."

Mabrey said $500,000 would buy the building. Any amount raised will be used to reduce the center's indebtedness and its monthly payments. "The bank is not breathing down our neck, but we don't want to get in that position," he said.

One goal of the campaign is to find benefactors to make large contributions. For the right price, the center could be named after a benefactor, as could a half a dozen rooms within the center.

The building, the center's first permanent home, has been financed with small-scale fund-raising activities like bake sales and quilt raffles.

"We have completed a mailing to the voters of Cape Girardeau," Mabrey said. "The flyer contains information about pledge agreements and how to make cash contributions."

In addition, volunteers are contacting individuals to solicit pledges and making presentations at civic meetings.

"We feel like we're organized and know where we want to go," Mabrey said. "We're optimistic about it. Wherever we go we're being well received."

Mabrey said time-tried methods of raising money for the center haven't been abandoned. "We had one fund-raising dinner at the center recently that turned out real well. We have a barbecue dinner, pork steaks and hamburgers, coming up on July 24. And a third one is planned in October."

Mabrey said the center is contemplating a fund-raising dance in September or October and bake sales are still being held. "Just anything we can do to make a buck," Mabrey said.

The senior center is best known for its lunch program. It also provides activities for the elderly ranging from quilting to exercising. Meals are delivered to homebound people. But Mabrey said one of the best services the center offers is social contact for senior citizens.

"A lot of people who are active and busy have a little trouble realizing that some people are lacking in well-being kinds of things like social contact. It's more than just a place to meet and eat," he said.

Other senior centers have had success with capital campaigns to fund construction of new buildings. "Fredericktown has a new center, and it's all paid off," Mabrey said. "In the end, we have faith we're going to come out OK."