DESPITE LIFE-CLAIMING ILLNESS, WOMAN ADVANCED VOLUNTEERISM

Exactly one month after her death, Sue Lusk was honored for her service to Cape Girardeau and Mid America Teen Challenge.

Lusk was one of four volunteers honored Tuesday at the United Way-CyberTel Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

Lusk won the category for volunteers age 26-59. She was manager of the Teen Challenge Thriftstore and a member of the auxiliary. Although Lusk was battling cancer, she continued working at the Thriftstore to raise money for Mid America Teen Challenge. Despite her illness, Lusk volunteered 1,600 hours during 1993. She died March 26. Her daughter, Brenda Cossey, accepted the award.

Nicole Wadlington of Scott City was honored in the category for volunteers age 25 and under.

Wadlington volunteered 780 hours for a number of organizations, school and church. She worked on the Notre Dame High School blood drive; secured books and donations for the Reading is Fundamental program; collected money and purchased gifts for Scott City ToyBox; delivered food to elderly and handicapped individuals through Meals on Wheels; organized 29 students and set up road blocks collecting $1,169 to replace Scott City welcome signs; took veterans from the Veterans Home on outings at the mall; worked with children riding horseback while receiving physical therapy; volunteered with the Baptist Church and Head Start; served as a summer school teacher aide and received the 1993 Governor's Youth Leadership Award.

Dorothy Ressel won the senior adult category. She volunteered 980 hours at St. Francis Medical Center, the Women's Council at St. Francis and Red Cross Blood Drives. Ressel has served as the manager of the medical center gift shop for the past four years. She initiated the Phantom Ball, Christmas Tree Gala, Santa calling and craft fairs. Ressel also visits and takes communion to 13 homebound senior citizens at Chateau Girardeau each Sunday.

VFW Post 10495 of Jackson was honored as the volunteer group of the year. The group coordinated funding, development and completion of the Veterans of All Wars Memorial at Brookside Park in Jackson. Post members are responsible for upkeep of the memorial and organizing fund raising for future expansion. Members donated their time in raising funds, researching veteran information and providing support for construction.

Joseph Gambill, recipient of the 1994 Rush Limbaugh Award and keynote speaker on Tuesday, said volunteers at three Cape Girardeau institutions -- the Veterans Home, Southeast Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center -- donated the equivalent hours of work as 70 full time employees.

CyberTel Cellular in Cape Girardeau has taken over sponsorship of the volunteer awards program locally. Previously, it was sponsored by Southwestern Bell.