CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN; TEEN CHALLENGE TO STRIVE FOR CHAPEL

Mid-America Teen Challenge hopes to raise $250,000 to build a chapel and multiuse facility.

The organization kicks off its first-ever capital campaign Tuesday, said Jack Smart, executive director of Teen Challenge.

"This will be the first time we've ever done a capital campaign," Smart said. "We have always raised a little money a little at a time. But with the size and nature of the project, basically the only way to go is to have a capital campaign."

Mid-America Teen Challenge is a non-profit religious program designed to help people with drug and alcohol problems. Teen Challenge currently has 109 students.

Smart said Teen Challenge receives no government funds; it is entirely privately supported.

The facility, situated on a 287-acre farm north of Cape Girardeau, has no chapel. "Our cafeteria doubles as our chapel," Smart said.

The proposed facility will house a chapel on the main level; the basement will include classrooms, guest quarters for visitors, and a prayer chapel for personal devotions.

"The prayer chapel, we definitely need," Smart said. "Our facilities are very crowded and it's difficult for the guys to get alone for prayer and Bible reading."

Co-chairmen of the campaign are Harold Kuehle and Mary Kasten.

"We want to have the funds raised by June 30 of this year," Smart said. "As soon as we raise 80 percent or more of the funds, we will start with construction."

The drive for a new chapel was prompted by a donation last year.

"About this time last year we had a letter from an anonymous donor who wanted to give money toward a chapel," Smart said. "That was something we've been wanting to do for many years. With the money given, the board of directors decided to go ahead."

A kick-off breakfast will be held Tuesday. Smart said he hopes pledges and donations will start arriving that day.

"We will follow up that meeting with personal contacts," Smart said.

He emphasized that the capital campaign is not part of the organization's regular fund-raising activities.

Smart said this campaign will be larger than others the center has conducted.

"We're making a broader appeal to the business community in Cape than we have in the past," he said. "Some of the individuals we have invited have not ever given before. We feel the people of Cape Girardeau are very generous and willing to support a program or project they feel is legitimate."

For more information call Teen Challenge at 335-6508.