CANOE TREK AIDS GIBSON CENTER

A group of river enthusiasts are planning to combine canoeing skills with a desire to help Cape Girardeau's recovery community.

At least 10 volunteers will participate in the fourth annual Mississippi River Canoe Trek, which is scheduled for Aug. 7-9.

The purpose of the trip is to raise money to benefit the Gibson Recovery Center in Cape Girardeau.

The canoeists will begin their 74-mile trek at Ste. Genevieve and will float into Cape Girardeau at 3 p.m. on Aug. 9.

"We hope that community members will turn out on Aug. 9 to welcome the volunteers and show appreciation for their tremendous effort," said Hugh Stone, executive director of the Gibson Recovery Center.

The canoe trip is organized each summer by Robert Antill, canoe trek chairman, who lived nearby the Gibson Recovery Center when it was located at 43 S. Lorimier.

"Bob appreciated how well the Gibson Center was managed, and he recognized the needs of the people in the facility," Stone said, "so he thought of a unique way to raise money."

Antill said business and community sponsors are needed to help raise money for the endeavor.

"A donation of $50, $100, $500 or whatever you may be able to give would greatly be appreciated," Antill said, "and would help the Gibson Recovery Center to maintain its current support to the ever-needy recovery clients of our community."

Stone said the canoeists organize the whole trip themselves. They put together posters, solicit sponsors from area businesses and make radio and TV appearances, he said.

"They don't use any of the donated funds for any of the expenses involved in the canoe trip, such as transportation, food or maintenance of the canoe," Stone said.

Canoeing down the Mississippi River is a sometimes dangerous undertaking because the strong current and eddies complicate the travels, he said.

"It's very honorable that the volunteers are willing to put their time and energy into something this risky year after year," Stone said.

Most of the volunteers previously have been involved with the canoe trips, he said. They are required to go through a water safety class to determine swimming skills and attitudes about safety.

Each canoeist is required to take full responsibility for the risks involved, Stone said.

The Gibson Recovery Center, located at 1112 Linden, is a not-for profit-organization. The center houses an outpatient service called CSTAR.

Also, there is a residential service with 22 beds and a social detox program in which patients go through the withdrawal process without use of medication. Patients can spend up to 30 days in primary recovery.

The Gibson Recovery Center also supports a group home located at 43 S. Lorimier. The center serves about 630 people a year, and 60 percent of those come from Cape Girardeau County.

In regard to the canoe trip, Stone said, "We have all the volunteers we need, but we do need people to support their efforts and the Gibson Center," he said. "We normally raise about $1,000, but we hope the amount will increase as the years go on."

You can send donations to: Gibson Recovery Center, Inc., c/o Hugh Stone, 1112 Linden, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.