Generous donors

In a time when school districts' budgets are tightening, it's never been more important to have generous alumni -- something the Cape Girardeau School District can attest to since receiving a generous donation from one of its successful alums.

The Cape Girardeau Public Schools Foundation recently received a $1 million donation from Richard and Nancy Kinder to expand the planned auditorium on the Cape Girardeau Central High School campus.

The gift by Kinder, chairman and CEO of Kinder Morgan, and his wife, Nancy, will add a balcony and 250 seats to the planned 750-seat auditorium.

The 22,000-square-foot auditorium, to be named the Richard D. Kinder Performance Hall, is part of the $40 million facilities bond issue approved by voters in April. The auditorium is scheduled to be finished in 2012.

The Kinders have given the district's students an incredible opportunity to perform in a state-of-the-art facility with their generous donation.

The couple is one example of the many generous people in Southeast Missouri. Some have given to institutions, others to causes. However, all of Southeast Missouri's generous donors are to be commended for their willingness to help others. Our community is the beneficiary of their generosity.