RED CROSS HOLDS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

Volunteers are the backbone of any organization, said Mary Burton, director of the Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross.

And, she is especially grateful for the volunteers who help the Red Cross serve the community throughout the year.

At its 78th annual meeting Tuesday, the Cape County Chapter of the American Red Cross honored those volunteers.

"The volunteers are here on a day-to-day basis, not just during times of flood," Burton said. "There is no way we could do what gets done without the volunteers."

New officers and the 1996 board members also took office at the meeting.

"These are the people who have worked throughout the year," Burton said. "These are the volunteers who have served the community by working with the Red Cross."

Charlotte Craig, who has worked at the Cape Girardeau County Health Department for 20 years, received the Clara Barton Nursing Award. This award is the highest volunteer honor.

William Wickham, Jr. also received the Exceptional Service Award.

Other volunteers recognized for their service were: Morris Osburn, Marlene Osburn, Mike Krueter, Bill Engleman, Marge Engleman, John Cutsinger, Richard Kinsey, Larry McHenry, Dick Bomar, Sue Cox, Centenary United Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church for disaster services; Amos Coonts, Burt Lehman, Morris Owens, Margery Smith, Jerome Stauber, Denise Stewart, Reuben Watson, Carla Watt, Gary Bridges and Jackie Sessoms for military social services; Virginia Criddle, Margaret Crites, Ben Borchelt, Sarah Borchelt, Mary Friese, Jenne Farrar, Dave Kaempfer, Helen Mosby, Carolyn Robinson, Meta Siemers, Eloise Roth, Roger Scott, Verna Lee Nitsch and Rosalee Sides for blood services; Brian Gibson, Jim Haskell, Yvonne Brewer, Ivan Brewer, Katie Taylor, Krisinda Ing, Viola Dannenmueller, Eloise Roth, Charles Woodford, Lois Woodford, Helen Mosby, Jo Lynn Ford, Laura Primonado, Raymond Primonado, Gilbert Leimer, Jeanette Leimer, Cape Central Junior and Senior High Beta clubs and Louis Schultz Beta Club for chapter support.

Instructor of the Year award recipients were: Angie Brune, health and safety volunteer; Sherry Jenkins, first aid and CPR; Shawn DePriest, water safety; Carol Johnson, HIV/AIDS.

The 1996 Board of Directors are: Eric Marquart, chairman; Robert Cox, vice chair; Everett Hey, treasurer; Doug Rediger, secretary; Margie Theobald, health and safety chair; Maj. Paul Bacak, military social services chair; Morris Osburn, disaster services chair; Peggy Nelson, blood services chair; and Pete Poe, personnel chair.

1995 Retiring board members are: Greg Bomers, William Mapes and Lt. Cmdr. Don Taylor.

Members at large are Evelyn Boardman, Marilyn Curtis, Jane Daume, Larry Essner, Kim Groves, Mark Kneer, Dan Lynn, Doug Rediger, Cristy Richardson, Reg Swan and Ron Wittmer. Members of the Emeritus committee are Jeanne Farrar, Dan Finch, Ruth Hathaway, Dennis Marchi, Harry Rediger, Jan Ruopp and Chuck Stotz.

Red Cross staff members are: Mary Burton, executive director; Shawna Rhine, health and safety director; Ron MacCubbin, emergency services director; Kay Blanchard, administrative assistant/volunteer director; and Sandy Primonato, secretary.