TREE OF LIGHTS '95 CAMPAIGN JUST SHORT OF $150,000 GOAL

Weekend donations should push the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign to its $150,000 goal, Capt. Robert Gauthier said.

"We'll make the goal," Gauthier said Friday. "I'm sure by Monday we'll be there."

As of Thursday, the campaign had raised $148,551, an increase of approximately $23,500 from the previous year's campaign.

While donations have increased, Gauthier said, so have the levels of services to underprivileged families in the community.

The campaign funded Christmas assistance to 948 families -- or approximately 3,500 individuals -- who received food baskets, plus 772 children who received new toys for Christmas.

Last year, the Salvation Army provided 828 families with food baskets, and 747 children with toys, according to Gauthier.

In addition, the campaign will also help fund expanded services at the Salvation Army's new Youth Center, he said.

"We have the After School program for youth going," Gauthier said. "Basically, right now it's just recreation. We're pursuing a grant so we can add an education component. The biggest expense, of course, will be hiring someone to supervise it."

Increased usage of the Salvation Army's facility by outside groups has also added to the agency's operating expenses because of higher utilities and clean-up costs, he said. Those programs include GED classes and the alternative education program for the Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

"We've also seen a real increase in the number of people we've assisted who've been involved in fires," Gauthier said. Since October, the Salvation Army has assisted 12 families who have lost homes or property because of fire.

For more information about the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign or community assistance programs, call 335-7000.