NEWSPAPER HONORED BY RED CROSS ORGANIZATION

The Southeast Missourian will collect the American Red Cross Good Neighbor Award Nov. 11 at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross nominated the newspaper for the award, which recognizes people and organizations who made contributions which helped the Red Cross provide more effective services or reflected a positive impact in the community.

Mary Burton, executive director of the local chapter, said the Southeast Missourian was in competition with other business nominees from across the state.

"The Southeast Missourian has been a good neighbor and partner with the Red Cross for a number of years," she said. "They have just been exemplary in their support of the American Red Cross."

In her nomination, Burton wrote that the Southeast Missourian is committed to having employees serve as American Red Cross board members, raising awareness through newspaper inserts and articles and sponsoring blood drives with the help of other downtown Cape Girardeau merchants.

Burton said the newspaper's efforts have encouraged people to donate their time and money to the organization and helped make residents aware there is an organization to help them in times of crisis.

The Southeast Missourian also received several awards in its division at the National Newspaper Association's recent annual meeting in Louisville, Ky.

Third-place awards were given for best writing and general excellence. Second-place awards were for best sports photo, community service, best newspaper Web site, best use of color and best family life/living photo.

And first-place awards were for most humorous headline, best coverage of technology issues, best newspaper promotion and best coverage of business news.