SALVATION ARMY EXPECTS TO MEET TREE OF LIGHTS GOAL

The holiday spirit didn't fade in Cape Girardeau this year. Residents donated about $123,000 to the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights fund-raising campaign.

"We will meet our goal," Salvation Army Capt. Elmer Trapp said.

The 1994 goal is $125,000. Donations totaled $123,600.

"We have always made our goal, I see no reason why we won't this year," Trapp said.

To reach its goal, the Salvation Army will extend the campaign to the end of the year. Almost 99 percent of the goal was collected by Thursday, Trapp said.

He attributes the campaign's success to strong community support.

"They just trust the Salvation Army," he said.

The Salvation Army is an agency people like to support, Trapp said. "We have a good reputation and a tremendous heritage."

The 125-year-old agency provides emergency assistance, food programs and social services in the community.

During 1993, the Salvation Army provided aid to area flood victims. Trapp said giving was easier then because people were used to helping others. However, people had to get into the mood of giving this year.

"We are still in the business of helping people and we show that by how we use the money," he said.

The Tree of Lights campaign makes up about one-third of the annual budget for the Salvation Army.