LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTER EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Cape Girardeau Chapter of the American Red Cross has earned national recognition for fund-raising efforts last year.

Debbie Bowers, executive director of the local chapter, said the agency has earned the recognition for achieving 100 percent of its goal for the 1989 national disaster relief campaign.

"When the Red Cross was faced with a hurricane and an earthquake almost simultaneously," Bowers explained, "the national organization assigned a quota to each Red Cross chapter. Our amount was $6,512; we raised $6,612."

The fund-raising effort was above what normally takes place at the local chapter.

"We were really impressed with the response," Bowers said. "People in the community just came forward with donations. We did have a bowl-a-thon, but other than that we did not have to hold special events to raise the money. People were just aware of what was going on and sent us money."

"A lot of people were devastated by the disasters, but something was stronger: the response of the public."

Bowers said most chapters across the country met their goals. "The response nationally was overwhelming," she said.

The award was presented by the Red Cross field service manager, a national representative, on Wednesday.