EAGLES CELEBRATE 20 YEARS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

Founded a century ago by six men sitting on a lumber pile in Seattle, Wash., the Fraternal Order of Eagles and its Ladies Auxiliary have over 1 million members in over 2,500 Aeries and Auxiliaries in the United State and Canada.

While the national organization celebrates 100 years, the Cape Girardeau Aerie 3775 celebrates 20 years of fellowship and fund raising, said Bill Stoffel, secretary of the local organization.

Among members of the organization have been Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope and other celebrities.

But the Eagles was at the beginning and continues to be primarily an organization of working men and women banded together for fellowship and the opportunity to make a difference.

The organization's motto is "People helping people."

"That's what we have always been about, and that's what we will celebrate in our anniversary year even as we rededicate ourselves to a second century of service," said William Blum, Grand Worthy President of the Eagles.

Locally, the Eagles hold a variety of events to raise money for national charities including cancer and heart research, assistance for handicapped children and senior citizens.

In addition to supporting national and state fund-raising efforts, the local Aerie sponsors its own events.

For example, the organization is helping sponsor a fund raiser Feb. 22 for Kay Wolpers, a local woman suffering from cancer. She has no insurance to cover medical bills.

The Eagles also sponsor an annual Christmas basket program that grows every year.