GENEROUS SUPPORT

Once again, Southeast Missourians have shown their propensity for helping those in need. The Easter Seals Celebration '96 telethon and the annual American Cancer Society Gala combined raised more than $130,000 this month.

Donations for the 10-hour Easter Seals telethon, which aired on KBSI-23, topped $71,000 this year. The money will be used to provide educational and therapeutic service to disabled children in Southeast Missouri. Some 200 volunteers answered phones and handled other tasks to pull off the telethon.

It is noteworthy that the largest corporation donations for the telethon were only $1,000. Most of the money came from small businesses and individuals giving anything from $5 to $500.

The annual black-tie Cancer Society Gala has become the biggest social event in Cape Girardeau while raising about $60,000 for cancer research and services.

Four directors and about 30 volunteers spent the better part of a year planning the gala, which has become the largest annual fund-raiser for the local cancer society.

Whether through a 10-hour televised appeal for money or a black-tie dinner and dance, worthy charitable organizations in the Cape Girardeau area can expect people from this region are eager to help out.