Vision 2020 group honors volunteer efforts

~ The awards went to six organizations and individuals.

Cape Girardeau has touched the lives of millions.

That's what Buz Sutherland told a group of community members at a breakfast Tuesday where the civic group, Vision 2020 Community Relations Council, honored the volunteer efforts of six organizations and individuals.

The awards went to Community Caring Council, Cross Trails Medical Center, Roger Fields, Sarah Goeke, Robert Harris and Neighborhood Connections.

"Cape Girardeau is a place I fell in love with," Sutherland told about 50 people who attended the meeting at Saint Francis Medical Center's Health and Wellness Center.

He shared his memories of traveling from Charleston to Cape Girardeau as a child.

"Walking up and down Main Street and Broadway were some of my most wonderful experiences as a child," Sutherland said. "New York City couldn't have been more exciting than Main Street was back then."

Since he was a child, Sutherland said Cape Girardeau has grown by leaps and bounds. He said in the 21-county area of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau jobs account for 13 percent of all employment, and more than 10,000 people commute to the city for work every day.

Part of the reason Sutherland loves Cape Girardeau is because of the people who were honored at Tuesday's breakfast.

The Community Caring Council was honored for helping develop a community plan that addresses critical issues such as transportation, medical care and substance abuse in Cape Girardeau.

Cross Trails Medical Center was honored for providing affordable dental and medical care to families in Cape Girardeau. The center is sometimes the only option for many families who need medical or dental care.

Capt. Roger Fields, a member of the Cape Girardeau Police Department and president of Seniors and Lawmen Together, was recognized for his efforts developing and expanding effective crime prevention and educational programs for senior citizens.

Sarah Goeke was honored for her leadership as founder and chairperson of the Downtown Kids Association. Goeke, a senior at Central High School, coordinated a downtown trash clean-up event with 35 high school students and an outdoor family movie night.

Robert Harris was recognized for developing a garden to grow vegetables for the needy on an empty lot in Cape Girardeau. Harris has planted this garden for the past 10 years.

Neighborhood Connections was honored for bringing downtown neighborhoods together in an effort to strengthen the area and address issues such as crime, property standards and neighborhood pride. The group's most visible outcomes are the new Neighborhood Watch signs in the area.

Nancy Jernigan, a member of Vision 2020, said the goal of the committee is to recognize individuals and organizations, celebrate the work of these groups and to motivate others in the community to become involved.

"It's our role in the community to recognize these people and capitalize on the positive things we have here," Jernigan said.

Former Cape Girardeau councilman Melvin Gately initiated the efforts of the original Vision group -- Vision 2000 -- in 1987. Since then, the group changed its name to Vision 2020 in August 2000 and has created a strategic plan dealing with the arts, community services, economic development, education and transportation.

jfreeze@semissourian.com