CAPE SENIOR CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MARKS ANNIVERSARY

The senior center has made "a sizable dent" toward paying off its $300,000 mortgage.

Jess Hopple, campaign chairman and Senior Center Foundation board member said the board just celebrated the first year of its three-year fund-raising campaign.

Hopple, a retired Ford Motor Company executive, has traveled all over the world and finds this area amazing. "Say you need something, prove you need it and it's there," he said.

The senior center is non-subsidized and depends on donations and fund-raisers. The only income it receives on a regular basis is the rent paid by the nutrition center.

The nutrition center served 4,045 meals in June. Last year a total of 51,000 meals were served or distributed from the facility.

"We're able to do this with all the help from volunteers, and I'm afraid we don't say 'thank you' often enough," said Hopple.

There's a lot more going on at the center than just serving meals, however. The facility offers a well-lit, peaceful room where visitors can go to read or watch television. There's always a quilt in the making, and a variety of hand-crafted items are available for purchase at the center.

Shelves are filled with donated books and magazines, and a puzzle is always in the works on one of the tables.

"Our goal was to provide a clean, comfortable building for the citizens," said Hopple. "The center's funds are under a very competent board which watches every dollar," he added. As soon as the mortgage is paid, the board will concentrate on other additions and programs.

To aid in the fund-raising effort, monthly mailings are made to property owners in the county. "We make about a 1,000 mailings a month," said Hopple. The board hopes to reach 20,000 residents before the campaign is complete.

As a professional courtesy, the board agreed not to do any fund-raising during the United Way campaign.

Hopple wants to remind everyone that the goal hasn't been reached yet, and all the support the center receives is greatly appreciated. If you wish to help the center continue to meet the needs of the golden generation, you may make a donation to Cape Girardeau Senior Center, 921 N. Clark or P.O. Box 1665.