Cape shows it cares through outpouring of support

Editor's note: This article was written in November for a school project.

By Claire Segar

Cape Girardeau citizens have always had a big heart. They have had the chance to show it since Sept. 11.

From memorial services to blood drives and other fund-raisers, Cape Girardeau has been very supportive of those affected by the terrorist attacks on America.

Just over a week after the tragedy, Dr. Clayton Smith, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church, helped organize a memorial service, which was held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001.

The service, called Heartland Remembers, "helped the people of Cape Girardeau receive healing from their hurt, hope for the future and united everyone," Dr. Smith said.

Over 4,000 people attended the tribute and more than $8,000 was raised. The money was donated to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the September 11th Fund.

Over 100 people volunteered to help plan and prepare the memorial service with volunteers coming from the Community Counseling Center and local churches.

Other businesses provided free advertising and the Show-Me Center offered space for the service. St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital contributed candles to enhance the event.

The service began at 7 p.m. More than 30 religious leaders spoke. Dr. Smith described the enormous choir. He explained that over 150 voices filled the enormous room, and along with the beautiful voices were more than 100 musicians who played their instruments. The service that gave hope ended at 8 p.m.

While people were planning for the memorial service, employees at Magna-Tel Inc. were preparing magnetic bumper stickers to show their support.

At that time no one knew what a success the bumper strips would be. More than 100,000 bumper strips were sold, and over $200,000 was raised for the American Red Cross in less than six weeks.

Exactly 87.5 percent of all the bumper strip proceeds went directly to the Red Cross along with 100 percent of the money raised from the first 15,000 magnets sold.

When Mary Ann Farmer, the president and CEO of Magna-Tel, decided to make the magnetic bumper stickers, 14 designs were created.

Only five of those were manufactured. Among those selected was an American flag and a magnet with the phrase "God Bless America." Later, only two of the original five magnets continued to be produced.

The magnets were instantly a big hit. They sold for $2. Magna-Tel partnered with KFVS to raise as much money as possible for the victims of Sept. 11.

Paul Keener, the director of marketing at KFVS, helped oversee the selling of the magnets. He explained that KFVS had raised $88,000 from selling the bumper strips.

Keener also noted that many people donated more than the minimum of $2 for each magnet. Both KFVS and Magna-Tel hope that the donations raised by selling the bumper strips will truly help those in need.

"I hope that the contributions will help the victims of Sept. 11, their families and the rescue workers," said Mrs. Farmer.

Yet another demonstration has shown how much Cape care. Those working at C.S. Printing designed a T-shirt imprinted with a large picture of the American flag, a bald eagle, the presidential seal and the saying "United We Stand." Jennifer Drury, the president of C.S. Printing, helped design the T-shirts.

More than 17,000 T-shirts were sold and approximately $110,000 was raised. The money was donated to the American Red Cross and the Relief Fund in New York.

Patrons contributed $10 for each T-shirt. C.S. Printing teamed up with Zimmer Radio, who provided advertising for the T-shirts on all of their five stations.

The T-shirts were printed from Sept. 18 to 23. C.S. Printing later retired the design to the American Red Cross, giving them permission to reproduce the "United We Stand" T-shirts.

Drury hopes that the Red Cross will do what they need to do to meet the needs of the victims and best provide for the individuals affected. "There are so many needs. I just can't imagine," she said.

Blood drives also took place to help those involved with the incidents of Sept. 11. They were held locally at Southeast Missouri State University, the Osage Centre and at the Senior Center.

Mary Burton, executive director for the Southeast chapter of the American Red Cross, said that over 2,500 people gave blood.

"Oh there was absolutely a much larger response than we expected," Burton said.

The people who wanted to donate blood had the chance to do so at six different blood drive. Each lasted between six and 10 hours.

In the beginning, people were willing to wait up to four hours in line to help victims and rescue workers among the rubble and in hospitals. Immediately, 700 units of blood were sent to St. Louis from Cape Girardeau, processed and then sent to the East Coast.

Many people eager to help were turned away, while others continued to wait patiently in long lines. Over 100 people volunteered. Most of those brought canteen supplies such as soda, juice and bottled water.

Cape Girardeau has been very supportive and has tried to help in every way possible. The residents of Cape Girardeau have always been this way. From building houses for those unable to buy them to holding food and coat drives, citizens are always willing to give a helping hand.

Cape Girardeau has always had and always will have heart.

Segar is a student in the Cape Girardeau public schools.