SALVATION ARMY HONORS VOLUNTEERS AT DINNER

Soldiers, volunteers and community supporters of the Salvation Army shared dinner and information Monday night during its annual meeting.

More than 70 people attended the event, which was held in the Salvation Army gymnasium.

Nine area schools and 13 civic organizations and businesses were recognized for their donations to the Salvation Army. These donations included volunteering time as bell ringers during the Christmas season, collecting canned goods and donating to other programs offered by the Salvation Army.

"Many people remember the Salvation Army at Christmas, but we also have many who donate in May and July and other months besides December," said Capt. Robert Gauthier, with the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army. "We could not do the work we do if others didn't go the extra mile."

Several individuals were honored during the meeting for service and achievement. Twila Gauthier and Dee Dee Bolen received awards for achieving the rank of Honor Junior Soldiers.

All members of the Salvation Army fellowship are called soldiers, and young members are called junior soldiers. To achieve the rank of Honor Junior Soldiers, Twila Gauthier and Bolen attended camp for one week, where they memorized the doctrine of the organization. They then went before a review board and answered questions about the organization and the Bible.

Bob Cardwell was also honored with a distinguished service award for 40 years of work with the organization. Cardwell, who has sold the Salvation Army War Cry magazine since 1955, has generated more than $96,000 in revenue for the organization since 1992. He was presented with a plaque containing a Christmas 1955 edition of the magazine.

"I've been doing this for 40 years, and I'll keep on doing it as long as I'm able," Cardwell said.

Division Commander Lt. Col. Gordon Spicer replaced Col. Lee Hickam as guest speaker for the event. Hickam, who ran the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army during the 1960s, was unable to attend after his wife became ill last week.

Spicer spoke about the need for values in Americans. He said the words behavior and value are often used interchangeably, but they are actually different because values govern behavior.

"There is a values crisis in America, and unfortunately, the religious community often looks like the rest of society," he said. "When we agree and practice values, we are far less divisive."

During the financial report, the organization reported a total of $445, 179.10 collected through the Community Center during fiscal year 1996. This amount included public donations, internal support, government funding and money from the Cape Girardeau Area Wide United Way.

The public support totalled nearly $227,000, and two-thirds of that amount came from the Tree of Lights Christmas Campaign.

Nearly all of the money collected was used on various programs, including family and disaster services and social development and recreation.