Charity provides clothing necessities for newborns

The St. Francois County Tiny Hearts Chapter of the Newborns in Need organization recently donated clothing to St. Francis Medical Center's Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Newborns in Need is a charity that focuses on providing necessities for premature and newborn babies. Volunteers sew quilts, blankets, sleepers and other baby items, which are then given free of charge to those in need. Find out more by visiting www.newbornsinneed.org.

Masons confer third degree to Lowery

St. Marks No. 93 Masonic Lodge of Cape Girardeau recently conferred the third degree to Jeremy Lowery. All Masons were invited, with approximately 36 people in attendance.

Friends of the library plan annual book sale event

The Friends of the Public Library Foundation will hold its Annual Book Sale Sept. 6-8. The sale runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 6; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 7; and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8.

Friends of the library members are invited to a special preview hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Anyone may join the Friends foundation at the door for $15.

Hardcover books will sell for $1 each, children's books for 50 cents, paperbacks for 25 cents, and books-on-tape and videos for $1. All proceeds will go to benefit library projects sponsored by the foundation.

Child advocate training to be offered by CASA

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Missouri will provide a free, 30-hour training course starting Sept. 10 for adults wishing to help abused and neglected children of the area. Classes will be held at Dempster Hall on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

CASA is a volunteer-based organization operating in every state of the nation. The local program is a member of the state and national CASA organizations and serves the 32nd Judicial Circuit of Bollinger, Cape and Perry counties.

Child advocates are residents from the community who after training are sworn in as officers of the court. A CASA volunteer is then appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child whose case is before the court. Being a CASA volunteer doesn't require legal experience. All volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of abused and neglected children.

CASA volunteers work to meet the following goals: to ensure that children's immediate and long-term needs are met while in foster care; to make a healthy, permanent placement for each child in a timely fashion; to improve laws, policies and procedures that impact children; and to heighten public awareness and response to the needs of abused and neglected children.

For more information, call 335-1726 or email: pjenkins@capecasa.com or wseabaugh@capecasa.com.

Zonta Club gives out two awards

The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau recently presented its Women of Achievement Award to Betty Lou Vogel, broker/associate for Prudential Bridgeport Inc. Realtors.

The club presented its Young Women in Public Affairs Award to Alicia Sachse, daughter of Bob and Andrea Sachse.

-- From staff reports