TODAY'S RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: REALTORS PAY UTIL,ITY BILLS, PERFORM OTHER KIND GESTURES

A Realtor's job is to help people move into new homes, but the Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors showed Friday they also help families already in homes and animals looking for homes.

Board members made their rounds throughout the county on Friday, distributing kind gestures in honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week. They handed out roses to Cape Girardeau County Courthouse employees, donated the fees and services needed to spade and neuter two cats and two dogs at the Cape Girardeau Area Humane Society, and paid the utility bills for four families.

"We've been collecting (from members of the organization) all week and just got more response than we anticipated," said member Cheryl Huffman. "This was just a brainstorm we thought everyone would appreciate."

Board members completely paid the balance of a utility bill for one Jackson family and paid $50 each for two others. Norma Mungle surprised the gift-bearers by refusing their offer to pay her bill in the Cape Girardeau Union Electric office.

"I would rather you help someone who really needs it," Mungle told board members. "There are a lot of people who really need it. Give it to them instead."

Mungle's refusal prompted UE employees to suggest a homeowner they knew could use the assistance. Although board members were unable to pay the entire balance, they paid $150 and made plans to have the organization's community service committee contact the family later for a possible weatherization project.

"Our community service committee has been considering painting a couple of houses as a project," said member Linda Ervin. "We'll visit this family and see if we can maybe paint the house or see if we can help get it rentable or improve the rate of utilities it uses."