TREE OF LIGHTS DRIVE LAGS BEHIND LAST YEAR'S

If the people beside the Salvation Army kettles seem to be swinging those bells more briskly than usual this holiday season, perhaps it is because the 1998 Tree of Lights campaign is running behind.

The Tree of Lights campaign so far has raised $56,512 toward its goal of $200,000. Receipts from the kettles are $8,000 behind the $37,000 that had been taken in by this time last year. The campaign is about $3,000 behind in mail donations.

The money provides food baskets and toys for needy people during the holidays and also is used to help people with housing, utilities and food needs throughout the year.

The status of the campaign is a concern. Maj. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army said the warm weather since Thanksgiving may be the biggest reason the campaign is lagging behind.

"Folks just have not gotten into the Christmas spirit," he said. "While we're concerned, we're optimistic that things will pull together by the end of the season."

One bright spot was the appearance of a $50 gold coin in one of the kettles.

Gauthier urged people to go ahead and make their donations now so the Salvation Army can plan its giving.

The organization thus far has taken 800 applications for assistance over the holidays, which is about the number that usually comes in. But Gauthier expects to receive about 200 more.

The Salvation Army has received 1,000 more requests for assistance this year than last year. Gauthier isn't sure why but says welfare reform, reduced food stamp eligibility and loss of medical coverage may be contributing factors.

The Salvation Army serves people all over Southeast Missouri and Alexander and Union counties in Southern Illinois.

Many still go wanting, Gauthier said.

"Sometimes we feel we may miss those in most need of our help ... because their pride prohibits them from coming and requesting assistance."

He said the application process is made as simple as possible to make people more comfortable about asking for help.

The slow campaign also concerns Dennis Marchi, the 1998 Tree of Lights chairman. "People are still not in the mood for Christmas shopping, even though movement is out there," he said.

"We hear reports that retail for Christmas shopping is up over last year. But our kettles are down 9 percent.

"We'll keep plugging away," Marchi said.

The 1997 campaign raised $187,000 but did not surpass its $180,000 goal until after Christmas.

Both big and small donations are needed if the campaign is to make its goal, Gauthier said.

One woman gives her children $20 or $30 in pennies at the start of the holiday season so they can donate at the kettles, Gauthier said.

"They can't pass a kettle without giving something," he said.

Mail donations can be sent to P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.