Area businesses contribute to Red Cross relief effort

Exactly a month after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, a Cape Girardeau restaurant, along with other locations across America, donated 100 percent of the day's profits to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Red Lobster on William Street was packed during lunch with patrons alerted to the special promotion, called Dine Out for America. The money raised will be used to aid relief efforts, victims and their families. Outback Steakhouse and Ruby Tuesday also participated.

It was just one of the many responses area businesses have given in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Toys R Us has launched the "Make a Flag, Make a Difference Program." Children are allowed to come in and make a flag from the materials provided. For each flag displayed, the company will make a donation to the 9/11 fund.

Beach Bodies Tanning and Day Spa in Cape Girardeau recently gave free on-location massages to American Red Cross staff in addition to making a financial donation.

"This is helping our people locally who are giving so much," said owner Olivia Laurenn. "Maybe we will have a domino effect."