Doctor who died in July to get award for humanitarianism

Submitted photo

The Sanders recently celebrated five living generations in their family. From left, seated: Edith Rich of Freeman Spur, Ill., and her great-grandson Darren Sanders of Cape Girardeau, holding his daughter, Jayden Sanders. Standing, from left: Darren's mother, Margaret Sanders of Cape Girardeau, and his grandmother, Virginia Surgalski of DuQuoin, Ill.By Janis M. Gosche

Southeast Missourian

The first presentation of a humanitarian service award created in recognition of the late Dr. C. John Ritter will be awarded to Ritter posthumously and presented to his family during a benefit to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month.

The benefit is just one part of an areawide celebration of Dr. King's life called "Building A Community, Shaping A New Generation," which will kick off with a music festival at 7 p.m. at the Osage Community Centre on King's birthday, Jan. 15.

"I just want people to come out and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King," said Debra Mitchell-Braxton, director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Wide Planning Committee. But "part of the thing is to get people to volunteer," she added.

Indeed, the purpose of the second annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Benefit, which is scheduled for noon on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Osage Community Centre, is to provide the residents of Cape Girardeau and surrounding communities an opportunity to help area agencies through volunteerism or a monetary contribution.

Home and abroad

It was Ritter's love of healing, embodied in a 29-year career, that caused him to be chosen as namesake of and to receive the area's most recently established humanitarian award, which will be given out at this year's benefit, according to Mitchell-Braxton. Ritter, who died in July, served humanity both at home and abroad.

"I want people to see there are true humanitarians in our own city. He was a doctor who crossed racial lines," said Mitchell-Braxton. "He and his wife were both very vested in the Family Resource Center, and enhancing the quality of life for many people."

Locally, Ritter volunteered his time and skills at the Family Resource Center, an agency that serves the south Cape Girardeau area with after-school and recreational programs for children, health screenings and programs for the elderly.

He was an active member and leader of the medical staffs at both St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital. He served on the board of education for Cape Girardeau School District, as well as numerous other state and local boards.

After his retirement in 1998, Ritter and his wife Marcia traveled to Third World countries, such as the West Indies, Mozambique, Mexico, Liberia and Honduras, on medical missions.

"I am trying to get the community to come together to improve and enhance other people's lives. Everybody can do something for somebody else," said Mitchell-Braxton. "You don't have to have a degree or a lot of money. We are all blessed with some kind of gift or talent."

Individuals attending the Dr. King Humanitarian Benefit will have an opportunity to sign a commitment agreement volunteering their time to assist a service agency or make a monetary donation.

Mary Kasten and the Rev. Brent Mustoe will speak at the benefit, and lunch will be provided at no cost. However, those who wish to eat lunch must reserve a seat by Thursday, Jan. 16. Call 334-0646 or 335-4374 to make reservations.

Following the humanitarian benefit, Cape Girardeau's celebration of King's life will continue with the seventh annual Youth Gala scheduled for 3 p.m. at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. This one-hour gala will feature oratorical and musical tributes, including skits and instrumental selections, performed by area youth.

Ends with service

The day's activities and the celebration of Dr. King will end with a community service held at 7 p.m. at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, at 516 North St. in Cape Girardeau. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, a community service award, will be presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at this time.

"I feel that as a city and as a nation we need to come together to see what we can do to help those in need," Mitchell-Braxton said. "We really have to build our future generation of children, contribute to the legacy that has been built by a lot of people, both white and black."

Sponsors of this areawide celebration of Dr. King's life include: St. James A.M.E. Church, the NAACP, the Y.E.A., Hobbs Chapel Church, the Boys and Girls Club, Family Resource Center, Schnucks, Osage Community Centre and Zimmer Broadcasting.

Agencies to be available at the Humanitarian Benefit include the: American Red Cross, Area Wide United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Cape Head Start, Division of Family Services, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Family Resource Center, Project Hope, Safe House, Salvation Army, Community Caring Council, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship fund and Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

For more information about these activities celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., call Debra Mitchell-Braxton at 335-4374.

Staff writer Mark Bliss contributed to this story.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133