VOLUNTEERS BRING HONOR TO THEMSELVES AND CITY

It has been 30 years since President John Kennedy implored Americans not to ask what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country. This passage from his inaugural address was not just a call to action in a dynamic time, it symbolized a spirit we embrace as Americans. While Americans are sometimes criticized as greedy and self-centered, the fact remains that many people in this country give of themselves freely for the greater good of all. Such is the case of those honored last week with Southwestern Bell Volunteer Awards. We applaud these people and their contributions to the Cape Girardeau area.

Southwestern Bell, along with the Cape Girardeau Area United Way, is in its fourth year of sponsoring this volunteer-recognition program. It is a fitting tribute for those who contribute hours of their time to improving life in this community. The accomplishments of the winners are considerable.

Bess Estes, at age 90, volunteered 2,134 hours last year to 28 different community organizations. She pitches in at both local hospitals and visited more than 300 homes of people no longer able to get out. She continues to build on her volunteer load, most recently adding some sewing duties at the Veterans Home to her schedule. In a fashion typical of her commitment, the thing she finds most difficult to do is say "no" to someone requesting her help.

The Rev. Louis Launhardt, pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, puts his ministry into action by devoting his time 17 years of his time to Lutheran Family and Children's Services. The agency, whose advisory board he founded, serves the counseling needs of individuals, couples, families, single pregnant women and the elderly, in addition to helping with adoptions and offering classes on parenting.

Lance Cassoutt, age 17, began volunteering at St. Francis Medical Center in 1988. Since then, he has logged 1,860 hours in the facility's cafeteria. He also runs errands, shovels snow and mows lawns for elderly neighbors.

The Zonta Club was honored as a service organization. Its 70 members, all professional women, are active in a wide variety of community projects, ranging from fire-prevention efforts to a local literacy campaign. Money raised by the group is also contributed to numerous causes, including for scholarships directed at women wanting to resume their educations.

One of the things all these recipients have in common is their belief that volunteers get back so much more than they give. Still, as a community, we thank them for their efforts and the challenge they pose ... to give more for the collective betterment. These winners brought honor not only to themselves but to the fine community they serve.