KINDNESS IS EVERYWHERE: CAPE BANK FOCUSES ON ANNUAL DAYS OF CARING

Lucy Brindley took time away from her job managing investments at Mercantile Bank to prepare salads and serve up Brunswick stew at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center.

"I wish there was a way to show how much work goes into these meals," Brindley said. "I'd love to say it happens in the blink of an eye, but it requires a lot of work."

Mercantile Bank sent a contingent of volunteers to help out with lunch Wednesday as part of the Area Wide United Way's Days of Caring.

The fourth annual Days of Caring event, held in conjunction with the local Random Acts of Kindness Week, is an opportunity for employee groups to volunteer in the community.

Mercantile Bank employees today will clean up Girl Scout Camp Sacajewa.

Lowell Peterson, president of the bank, said: "Banks need to be involved in the community. We need to visit with big, corporate customers, but we also need to be talking with all parts of the community. Besides, it's kind of fun."

Peterson delivered homebound meals with Bob Koeppel and Phillips Brown. "Looks as though I'm with the experts," Peterson said as he headed out the door.

Mercantile Bank wasn't the only caring organization this week: Orchard Elementary School in Jackson is conducting a spare-change coin drive for the Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, the Bank of Missouri is sponsoring a food and paper-products drive for the Women's Safe House, Southwestern Bell Telephone held a food drive for the Jackson Senior Center and Union Planters Bank is sponsoring a canned food drive for the Salvation Army.

Linda Harris, a Mercantile Bank vice president, and Betty Sims, who sells certificates of deposits at Mercantile, numbered serving containers for deliveries. Kristy Layton, a credit analyst, and Cathy Little, credit administrator, prepared to deliver meals.

"We wanted to do this just to be helpful," Sims said. She also calls bingo once a month at the senior center.

Sims agreed with Peterson that volunteering is fun. "A lot of our customers come through here and recognize us. We're from their bank, and I think they like that."