CHAMBER'S AWARDS GRATIFY AND INSPIRE

Once each year, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce takes a step back to pay tribute to its own. At its annual dinner and dance, a distinguished community achiever and an outstanding small business of the year are both recognized. It's a process that is both gratifying and motivating to chamber members and the community.

This year's Rush H. Limbaugh Award winner was Dennis Marchi, who has been active in community projects since moving to Cape Girardeau as manager of Schnucks Food & Drug 14 years ago.

Marchi has rolled up his sleeves and given not only donations of food and other items, but has personally donated hundreds of hours volunteering on numerous community boards.

His selection goes to show that not just born-and-bred home folks can receive top recognition. Marchi, who relocated here from St. Louis, has certainly worked hard for community betterment in this city he now calls home.

The award is aptly named for the late Rush H. Limbaugh Sr., a longtime attorney who gave selflessly to the community. The award was established in 1989 to recognize a business person who has expended an exceptional effort for the community over time. Limbaugh, who practiced law here for more than 75 years, was the first recipient.

Marchi's list of community service is impressive. During the past year alone, he has been involved with the Area Wide United Way, chairman of the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights campaign, co-chairman of the March of Dimes auction, and active with YELL and Coats for Kids. He also served on the board of directors of St. Francis Medical Center.

Over the years, he has extended a helping hand to dozens of community groups including the chamber, the American Red Cross, Community Counseling Center, Southeast Missouri State University, Friends of the Park and the Southeast Missouri Boy Scout food drive.

These organizations and the community have benefited from his benevolence.

The Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation company, better known as BART, was also honored for its success with the chamber's Small Business of the Year Award. BART is certainly a success story worthy of high praise.

The company began with just a single van to transport passengers between Cape Girardeau and Lambert Airport in St. Louis. In the dozen years since its start, the service has grown to 17 vans providing shuttle service in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. It has also expanded near Springfield, Ill.

The majority of BART trips are still to the St. Louis airport, but more people are using the service for business trips to St. Louis. BART averages an impressive seven trips a day to St. Louis from Cape Girardeau.

This chamber recognition not only gives individuals and businesses a well-deserved pat on the back, but it serves as an inspiration to others in the business community.