BUSINESS MEMO: AAL BRANCH HONORED

Aid Association for Lutherans Branch 1688 of Cape Girardeau has been awarded a Gold Star rating by the fraternal benefit society in recognition of exemplary volunteer service in the community.

To achieve the highest AAL rating, gold or silver stars, branches must annually sponsor at least one benevolent activity (fund-raising event or work project), conduct at least nine meetings, sponsor one educational activity and one member-awareness event, and comply with AAL's attendance, voting and reporting requirements.

AAL, headquartered at Appleton, Wis., provides its members with fraternal benefits, and its affiliated companies offer members mutual funds and credit union services. In addition, AAL members are offered opportunities to help others in their own communities.

Officers of Branch 1688 are John Schenimann, Cape Girardeau, president; Cecelia Bender, Cape Girardeau, vice president; and Mary Friese, Cape Girardeau, treasurer. Branch 1688 is supported by AAL Agency Specialist Steven Fritzler of Cape Girardeau.