LETTERS: GIRLS TEAM THANKFUL FOR SUPPORT

To the editor:

On behalf of the Cape Girardeau Girls Softball League, we would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Jim Drury, Dan Drury and the many good folks at Burger King. For the past eight years, our organization has been the beneficiary of corporate sharing at its finest. The Burger King Bucks program has allowed the Cape Girls Softball League to keep 50 cents of every Burger King dollar our organization sold. This has allowed our girls the opportunity to experience responsibility, a sense of involvement and pride in our league's accomplishments. The end result has been an annual profit of $7,500 for our league, which has allowed us to significantly upgrade our facilities, provide first-rate equipment for the girls and keep our registration fees at a minimum.

Working with Cathy Cain formerly and with Stacy Miller the past two years has been a genuine pleasure. Their management of the BK Bucks program has always been flawless and professional, and their cooperation has been total and sincere. The generosity of Burger King and our faithful sponsors has enabled us to provide what we hope is a top-notch and enjoyable recreational atmosphere for approximately 750 girls each summer.

Due to "continued discounting programs mandated upon the individual Burger King franchisees by Burger King Corp.," our local Burger Kings are unable to continue the Burger King Bucks program. While it is unfortunate that our organization, as well as others in our community, will no longer be the beneficiary of this wonderful program, we certainly understand budgetary constraints and tough business decisions.

Despite our disappointment, however, we would be remiss if we failed to express our gratitude. Therefore, as a parent, coach, league officer and representative of thousands of girls who have participated and benefited so much the last eight years, please allow us to extend to our very good friends at Burger King a very sincere and heartfelt thank you for all that they have enable us to do for our community's young people. Their commitment and generosity have always been most sincere. Please accept our most profound appreciation in a like manner.

TERRY ASHBY, RICK McDONALD and EDDIE KEYS

Cape Girardeau