VOLUNTEERS GIVE COUNTLESS HOURS TO BETTER COMMUNITY: MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR THOSE AROUND THEM

The countless hours of volunteer services performed by the four recipients of this year's United Way-Cybertel Volunteer Awards offer remarkable testimony to the dedication of the three individuals and the organization that received them.

The awards, presented at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, went to the late Sue Lusk of Cape Girardeau, Nicole Wadlington of Scott City, Dorothy Ressel of Cape Girardeau, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10495 of Jackson.

Lusk, who died March 26, was honored in the category of volunteers within the ages of 26 to 59. Despite her battle with cancer, she continued to manage the Teen Challenge Thriftstore and was an active member of the Teen Challenge auxiliary, helping to raise money for the operation. She volunteered 1,600 hours to Teen Challenge in 1993.

In terms of volunteer work, Wadlington, honored in the age category of 25 and younger, has accomplished at her young age more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. Last year she performed 780 hours of volunteer work, including: working on the Notre Dame High School blood drive; securing books and donations for Reading is Fundamental; collecting money and purchasing gifts for Scott City ToyBox; delivering food to elderly and handicapped people through Meals on Wheels; organizing students and setting up road blocks to collect $1,169 to replace Scott City welcome signs; taking residents of the Veterans Home on outings at the mall; working with children riding horseback for physical therapy; and working with the Baptist Church and Head Start.

Ressel, who won in the senior adult category, logged 980 hours of volunteer work at St. Francis Medical Center, the Women's Council at St. Francis and Red Cross blood drives. She has served as the manager of the medical center gift shop for the past four years, and initiated the Phantom Ball, Christmas Tree Gala, Santa calling and craft fairs. She also visits 13 homebound elderly people at Chatau Girardeau each Sunday.

The VFW post, named volunteer group of the year, coordinated funding, development and completion of the Veterans of All Wars Memorial at Brookside Park in Jackson. The post keeps up the memorial and is organizing fund-raising for expansion of the memorial.

It's good to see the spirit of volunteerism remains alive and well in the area. We offer our congratulations to the recipients and to the family of Sue Lusk, and commend the many others who perform volunteer work.