STRICTLY BUSINESS: COMMUNITREES SPRUCES UP CHRISTMAS FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS

Target loves Christmas -- and for more reasons than the upsurge in sales the holiday season traditionally precipitates.

For the fifth consecutive year, Target will brighten the holiday season for more than 10,000 non-profit agencies, including schools, children's hospital, senior citizens home, libraries and others. This year, Cape Girardeau will share in Target's holiday generosity.

Each of the giant retailer's 674 stores will give away 12 to 16 creatively decorated display Christmas trees as part of its "CommuniTrees" program. In all, 10,784 trees will be donated, at a value of about $5 million.

Target contributes about five percent of its pretax profits to the communities in which it does business through grants, special programs and team member donations. Target in 1994 gave more than $20 million back to communities nationwide.

"We are happy to give these trees to community service organizations in the communities where we do business," said Gail Dorn, vice president of communications and community relations for Target and Dayton Hudson Corporation. "We hope they will be enjoyed for many years. Through our CommuniTrees program, we hope to spread a message about the importance of helping others in any way we can."

The Cape Girardeau CommuniTrees are now on display at Target Stores and will be picked up by the designated non-profit organizations Dec. 21, in time for the Christmas holidays.

"Until then, shoppers can enjoy these unique ornaments and trees," said Doug Rowe, Cape Girardeau Target manager. Each tree has its destination displayed.

"It's a fantastic program," said Rowe. "We had no problem selecting the 14 recipients for our trees. Next year, we'll probably start receiving requests for the trees."

The trees are heavily decorated, said Rowe. Each of the trees has a theme that was created and designed at Target headquarters in Minneapolis.

Trees designed by themes

In addition to the theme trees, Target also features some undecorated trees with "built-in" lights. The Salvation Army will receive two of the undecorated trees, along with the ornate "Golden Treasures" theme tree.

Also receiving an undecorated tree is the American Red Cross office.

Other theme trees and the organizations which will receive them, are:

"Country Christmas," Veterans Home. This tree is decorated in country plaid and muslin with a variety of buttons and burlap ribbons, Teddy bears, angels and rag dolls.

"Plaid Tidings," Community Counseling Center: Traditional red and green plaid ornaments and ribbons highlight this tree that is decked with stuffed Teddy bears.

"Dreams of Yesterday," Lutheran Home: The feeling of a Victorian holiday is created with soft mauves, rich roses and creme colors with flowers, birds and ballerinas.

"Sports Spectacular," Easter Seal Society: Wrapped in red and white snowflake garland, this tree is decorated with ornaments depicting golfing, bowling and skiing.

"Cabin Fever," Deal Nursing Home: This Manitoba fir has a cozy North Woods theme. Flying geese, fishermen, boats and an angler Santa build on its theme.

"Frosty nights," Shawnee Trace Unit: Muslim dolls, lace angels, icicles and snowflakes adorn this striking white and silver tree.

"Wagons Ho," Franklin School: A touch of the Old West is featured on this tree decorated with colorful cowboys, cactus, chili peppers, cowboy boots and hats.

"My Garden," Cherokee Trace Unit: This tree bursts with life, decked out with watering cans, fruit and vegetable ornaments and gold, red and poinsettia ribbon styles.

"Opulence & Elegance," Safehouse: This regal Lapland fir is trimmed in purple and gold with spirals of ribbons and garland. Ornaments include icicles and packages.

"Holiday Magic," Jefferson School: The seasons come alive with a mix of everything from stars, suns, moons, snowflakes and seashells in a variety of shapes and colors.

Sense of community spirit

Many businesses in Cape Girardeau are extending caring hands and a sense of community spirit as they continue a holiday tradition of providing toys, clothing and food for the less fortunate.

Children, adults and the elderly are among those whose holidays will be brighter because of the efforts of local small and large businesses and in many instances participation by customers as well.

It's impossible to mention every good deed of every business during the holiday season. The list goes on and on. But here are just a few of the businesses and organizations that bring holiday cheer to others. They range from the Cape Girardeau Public Library to the Southeast Missourian newspaper to a number of retail businesses.

Renowned holiday programs

Toy Box and Christmas for the Elderly are two of the best-known holiday programs in the Cape Girardeau area.

Toy Box, now in its 21st year in 1995, is a project of the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees to provide toys for less-fortunate children.

Christmas for the Elderly, sponsored by the newspaper and Cape Girardeau County Health Department, is in its 11th year and provides Christmas gifts for the needy elderly.

Community and business participation in both projects is widespread and generous. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift items are taken from individuals, civic clubs, businesses and other organizations for the Toy Box program.

Cash funds for holiday projects

One of the largest manufacturers in the area, Procter & Gamble, provides $500 funding for each of the two projects.

Procter & Gamble is providing more than $2,300 in holiday funding to a variety of projects this year, with donations to the following groups: Toy Box, $500; Christmas for the Elderly, $500; Salvation Army Tree of Lights, $500; Missouri Veterans Home, $500; and Cottonwood Residential Center, $300.

Canned goods and cash

JCPenney wrapped up its canned goods drive last weekend, with proceeds to be split between the Safehouse, Salvation Army, Gibson Center and FISH.

Canned goods and cash were collected at the store. Each person making a donation received a coupon good for 25 percent off of merchandise.

"The annual drive is good for both the customer and agencies receiving the food and cash," said a JCPenney spokesman.

"Shop with a Cop"

Wal-Mart and the Cape Girardeau Police Department team up each year for the "Shop With A Cop" program, which provides more than 100 needy youngsters an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts.

This year, Wal-Mart provided funds for the program by donating a percentage of its sales from 7 to 10 a.m. Nov. 26, the biggest shopping day of the year.

The program is sponsored by the Wal-Mart Charity Committee and police department volunteers.

This year's "Shop With a Cop" program will be held at the Cape Girardeau Wal-Mart Supercenter on Dec. 19.

Youngsters selected by the Division of Family Services will be given about $50 by Wal-Mart to purchase gift items for themselves or their relatives.

Annual event for youngsters

A similar program -- minus the police -- is an annual event at Kmart stores, sponsored by the store's Good News Committee.

Kmart annually hosts a group of 20 youngsters who will be presented with $20 to spend any way they like.

Children for the Kmart program are selected through the Easter Seal Society.

Toys, turkeys and other gifts

Auffenberg Chrysler, 611 S. Kingshighway, Schnucks Food & Drug, 19 S. Kingshighway, and Dayspring Church, 5195 Old Cape Road East, have joined forces to distribute toys, food and other gifts to the needy.

This is the third year for the program, said Dan Pennington, business manager at Auffenberg.

Toys, new or used, may be dropped off at any of the three locations, and will be distributed about Dec. 20.

Schnucks also recently participated with KZIM radio in a "Coats for Kids" program, which provides coats to children and adults.

The one-day collection campaign this year netted hundreds of coats.

"Food for Fines" program

The Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark, is holding its "Food for Fines" campaign this month.

"People having overdue books or other library material can bring in canned or non-perishable food items instead of money," said librarian Elizabeth Ader. "We'll gladly accept food items even if a person does not owe a fine."

The library will give the food to FISH, which will distribute it to the many local families the organization assists.

Gift Tree for children

Weber TV & Appliance of Cape Girardeau, 818 Broadway, is sponsoring a gift tree for children at Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center.

The tree contains ornaments representing each child currently at Cottonwood. People are encouraged to select an ornament and purchase a gift from the "wish list" on the ornament. Cottonwood, 1025 N. Sprigg, is a mental health treatment center for children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17. Some of the children have homes and family, but some do not. The gifts may be taken to Weber TV & Appliance. Tax-deductible donations also may be made.