VOLUNTEERS HONORED AT ANNUAL UNITED WAY-AMERITECH PROGRAM

Volunteers honored Wednesday more likely would be found pruning rose bushes, raising money or sitting by the bedside of a sick friend than standing up at a recognition banquet.

But on Wednesday three people and one organization were honored at the annual Volunteer Recognition Awards program sponsored by the Area Wide United Way and Ameritech.

Chosen as the 1998 recipients of awards for the volunteer work they do were Dusty McDowell, Annette Trout, Melvin Gateley and RSVP

McDowell, the youth award winner, is a student at Cape Girardeau Junior High School. He volunteers at the American Red Cross.

"Dusty McDowell rushes in our door after school bubbling with joy and enthusiasm, anxiously anticipating his next assignment," his nomination form reads. "Whether that assignment be a menial task such as taking out the trash and sweeping floors or a more challenging job like assisting our volunteer director with fund-raising efforts, Dusty's help in our fund-raising campaigns enable our chapter to provide Red Cross help when the need arises."

Trout, a volunteer with Southeast Hospice, is the adult volunteer winner.

"No one wants to have their loved one die alone," Trout's nomination reads. "Annette has always provided assurance to families and our organization that as long as she is able no one will die alone. She has a way of lighting up a room and brings comfort and love to those patients and family members for whom she is caring."

Gateley, a volunteer for the city, was honored as the senior volunteer.

The list of his activities fills a page. His name can be associated with almost every effort that promotes the city and its beautification. As a former educator, a city councilman, and a volunteer with the Vision 2000 committee, Gateley has been Cape Girardeau's booster.

He planted almost single-handedly some 50,000 bulbs around the city. In addition, he has planted hundreds of roses and makes sure the plants are cared for. He is out pruning, watering and winterizing beds across the city.

RSVP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Scott-Cape Girardeau counties, was selected as the volunteer organization of the year. RSVP matches senior volunteers 55 and older with non-profit agencies in the community in need of help. Volunteers provide tutoring, clerical assistance, mentoring, counseling and others tasks.

"RSVP performs various services from the simplest task to the most complex," the nomination form reads, "in serving a noon meal at the local senior center to teaching a handicapped child to speak, in reading to a nursing home resident to counseling young juvenile offenders."

Other nominees:

Youth under 25 -- Margaret L. Barker, Nick Roberts, Kristen Tallent, Brandon Wendel and Chris Wise.

Adults 26 to 59 -- Mike Simmons, Beth Schmucker and Lloyd Williams.

Senior adult -- Ilena Aslin, Ginny Cates, Loreen Gladish, Betty Heuring, Alberta Loos, Verna Dell Petzoldt, Fran Rediger and Homer Yount.

Group or organization -- Cape Girardeau Evening Lions Club, Cape County Family and Community Education, Renaissance.