GIRARDEANS RESPOND TO PLEAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Five percent of one Cape Girardeau business's sales will go to help children in Oklahoma City and Cape Girardeau.

Blue ribbons have been placed at some businesses in the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Broadway as a reminder of the bombing in Oklahoma City. The bombing Wednesday is the worst terrorist act in U.S. history. It has left at least 79 dead and about 150 people unaccounted for.

Included in the list of victims were a number of young children who were in day-care centers in the federal building.

People have responded with requests for blood, building materials, clothing and money. Cape Girardeans have responded to requests for funding.

"We have received a number of cash donations designated for Oklahoma City," said Capt. Elmer Trapp of the Salvation Army here. "We'll continue to serve as a middleman here, forwarding donations to Oklahoma."

A spokesman for the Salvation Army in downtown Oklahoma City said the response has been overwhelming, but money contributions are still needed.

A special relief fund has been established for businesses damaged by the bombing.

"We received a notice form the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce for funds to assist businesses," said John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

"Chambers of Commerce from Oklahoma and across the nation are being asked to put out a call to their combined members to provide financial relief to owners, employees and their families of businesses temporarily put out of business," said Tamara J. Ferguson-Hermen of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce.

A number of small items and money are needed by the Feed the Children agency in Oklahoma City. A spokesman for that group said socks, chap sticks, duffel bags, sun screen and money are needed.

A Cape Girardeau children's retail store, Children's Bazaar & Boys Corner, Kingshighway and Independence, announced Sunday that 5 percent of its sales this week would be donated to children's funds in Oklahoma and Cape Girardeau.

No requests for blood have been received by this area, but the American Red Cross has urged people here to donate blood during its drives in the area.

The blue ribbons in Cape Girardeau were the idea of Dr. Susan Sheets, whose office is at 1836 Broadway. The blue ribbons can also be found at other offices in a two-block area, including dentists Janet Ruopp and Patrick Ruopp, 1818 Broadway, and Donald C. Dennington, 2103 Broadway; Crowe and Rediger Orthodontics, 1736 Broadway; and the law firm of Spradling and Spradling, 1838 Broadway.

A spokesperson at Sheets' office said numerous inquiries had been received about the blue ribbons and where they could be obtained.

Another concern is questions by children who can't understand how anyone can "hurt little children," said Mary Gosche of Cape Girardeau, a human-development specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Perry County.

"Some children will want an explanation from parents and, or teachers," said Gosche, who serves a five-county area, including Cape Girardeau. Children may have some fears, said Gosche, especially children over the age of 5.

"We must find a balance on the one hand between helping a child feel safe, and on the other acknowledging the existence of violence, evil and danger in the world," she said. "This must be done in a manner appropriate to the child's ability to understand."

Gosche cited information from Purdue University child-development expert Judith Myers-Walls, who said not to bring up the topic or discuss it in front of children.

Wait for children to ask first, suggests Myers-Wall. Then talk about it. Many children, said Myers-Wall, need lots of hugs and affection. Others may need the help of a mental-health professional who specializes in caring for children.

How to help

Following are organizations accepting donations for victims of the Oklahoma City Bombings.

The Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, Cape Girardeau is accepting monetary donations. Send to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0802. Must specify funds are for Oklahoma explosion disaster relief. (314)-335-7000.

Feed the Children organization, 333 N. Meridian, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73107, is accepting money, socks, chapstick, sun screen and duffle bags, (405)-942-0228.

Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce is accepting funds to help businesses which were temporarily put out of business by the explosion. Funds are to help business owners, employees and their families. Send to Oklahoma Business Relief Fund, State Chamber, 330 NE 10th, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73104-3200, telephone (405)-235-3669.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013, accepting monetary donations (specify Oklahoma relief). American Red Cross in Oklahoma City (405)-232-1371, will help persons check on relatives.

St. Anthony's Hospital (405)-272-6063, will help persons check on relatives.