SALVATION ARMY BEGINS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The Salvation Army has kicked off a million-dollar, capital campaign for a new building, which will be constructed near the South Sprigg-Good Hope intersection in Cape Girardeau.

Fred R. "Rock" and Judy Wilferth have been named as co-chairpersons for the campaign by Salvation Army Capt. Elmer N. Trapp.

The new campaign was officially announced during the organization's annual meeting Monday night.

Plans for a new 17,200-square-foot building, which will be constructed near the site of the current Salvation Army building, were announced during the annual dinner meeting.

"We'll be building around the current building, behind and beside it," said Trapp.

Trapp said construction of the new building is expected to get under way later this year.

"We have already received some building funds," said Trapp. "Since our announcement last year, we have received about $400,000."

"Judy and I are excited about the opportunity to work with the Salvation Army and Capt. Trapp on this important fund-raising campaign," Rock Wilferth said Monday. "We were aware of the old bank building and the service it has provided to this community over the years. We were pleased that the facility became available to the Salvation Army for its headquarters building."

Wilferth added that he and his wife recently toured the facility.

"We wanted to see some of the problems the Salvation Army has of trying to adapt to a bank building as a service center," he said.

The building, which formerly housed the Farmers & Merchants Bank, has more than 6,000 square feet. But only about 4,200 square feet is usable space for the Salvation Army, noted Trapp.

"We feel a tremendous amount of good can come from a new facility," said Wilferth. "The Salvation Army can better serve the people of this immediate area from the new building. Capt. Trapp is very enthusiastic about this new building, and anyone talking with him can't help but become excited, too."

The Wilferths have put together their campaign teams. Vice chairmen include John Oliver, lead gifts; Robert Foster, Southeast Missouri State University/education; Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Kinder, professional; Bob Neff, business owners; Mike Kohlfeld, community groups; and Sandy Godfrey, media. The campaign team also includes David Dormeyer, chairman of the Salvation Army's finance committee. Charles Pruitt is chairman of the building committee.

Trapp explained that the new building would provide more room to conduct educational programs.

The planned facility consists of a large, multipurpose room, kitchen, nursery, chapel, library, classroom, fellowship room and administrative offices. It will be called the Salvation Army Worship and Community Center.

"The building will be constructed with expansion in mind," said Trapp. "We can add to it at any time."

According to the annual report presented at the meeting, the Salvation Army raised more than $312,000 for its community service work.

Eighty-two percent of that amount came from public support and fundraisers such as the annual Christmas Tree of Lights campaign and the Salvation Army kettles. Tree of Lights Chairman Bob Neff said the 1991 campaign raised just over its goal of $100,000. United Way contributions amounted to 13.6 percent of the money raised last year.

Thousands of people were helped by the Salvation Army in 1991, including 8,199 persons who were helped with food, prescriptions, clothing, rental and utility assistance, meals and lodgings, and other services. That figure is up almost 1,200 from the 1990 total of 7,000.

More than 3,700 persons received assistance from the Tree of Lights campaign, with the money being used for food, toys, clothing and gifts. Other programs, such as Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, summer day camp, Meals With Friends and disaster services, helped another 17,875 people.

Adult and youth services provided sessions attended by more than 12,000 people during the year 6,429 adult and 6,429 youths.

During the year, more than 300 volunteers spent more than 4,000 volunteer hours helping with Salvation Army programs.

Several businesses, service clubs and individuals were recognized during the annual meeting for their contributions and service to the Salvation Army.