LETTERS: FUN FEST'S OTHER SPONSORS

To the editor:

We appreciate the Missourian's Sunday coverage of Senior Fun Fest, but we do need to clarify that Southeast Missouri Hospital is not the sole event sponsor. We are one of four corporate sponsors, the others being Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau, Schnucks and the Area Agency on Aging. Without their generous donations and resources, the event simply would not be possible. The event truly is a community event, and on behalf of the sponsors we want to thank the community for once again working together to provide a day of fun an fellowship for our area's senior citizens.

Senior Fun Fest is a huge undertaking that requires hundreds of volunteers and relies heavily on the generosity of area businesses that provide prizes or financial assistance.

The response to this year's Senior Fun Fest was overwhelming. Our volunteers were enthusiastic, energetic and willing to pitch in and help with everything from wrapping thousands of hot dogs to calling bingo games. Once again, the Jerry Ford Orchestra kept Senior Fun Fest guests light on their feet with the great big-band sounds of the '30s and '40s. Rob Huff delighted guests with his magic. And special guest Dawn Wells -- no longer a castaway on "Gilligan's Island" -- shared her line of fashions and delivered an inspirational message.

Special thanks go to Dennis Marchi of Schnucks for overseeing the tremendous job of feeding our guests, to Karen Green of Mercantile Bank for securing all of the prizes and to the Area Agency on Aging for its help in distributing tickets and enthusiasm throughout the surrounding counties.

The purpose of Senior Fun Fest is to offer a special salute to our area's seniors. Please accept this letter as another salute -- a salute to all those who helped make the event a success. We thank you, and the 2,800 senior citizens who were our guests thank you.

DONNA PIKEY, Chairman

Senior Fun Fest Steering Committee

Cape Girardeau