Successful holiday home tour another example of generosity

We have highlighted many charitable events and organizations during this Christmas season -- the Jaycee Toybox, Feed My Starving Children and Christmas for the Elderly, for instance. The 28th annual Holiday Home Tour, organized by Lutheran Family and Children's Services, is also worthy of recognition. Once again, homes in Cape Girardeau and Jackson opened their doors to tourists. In addition to allowing strangers to enjoy holiday decorations, this event has a larger mission: to raise money for local charities.

Bill and Shelly Zellmer, Dr. David and Laura Babcock, Greg and Vicki Leet, Tyson and Rachel Zahner, Adam and Paige Riley and Rob and Janet Ruesler graciously offered their homes for local residents to explore for a fee of $25 or $30. The event raised more than $24,000, which exceeds what was raised last year by about $4,000. The money is earmarked for worthy causes, such as senior counseling, adoption, crisis pregnancy assistance, parenting classes and Alzheimer's disease support. About 950 people attended.

We commend people and organizations that find ways to combine holiday cheer with charity. The Holiday Home Tour allows individuals and families to walk the decorated halls of beautiful homes, see ideas for decorating their own homes and interact with others. A reception, held this year at Aloha Pools & Spas in Cape, provided refreshments and opportunities to win prizes.

Guides for the 2015 tour pointed out wreaths in mirrors, fixtures, furnishings and Christmas trees, of course. Tourist Sally Glueck praised the homes. "We like the trees that are white," she said. "And one of the houses in Jackson has silver and blue decor on it, and it's just the prettiest thing. It's gorgeous."

Glueck was not alone in her praise. Melody Anderson, director of Regional Development for the Lutheran Family and Children's Services, said that "the feedback was excellent." She expressed gratitude for corporate and community support, as well as thanks to God for the beautiful weather.

"People were saying that this was one of the best tours they'd ever been on," Anderson stated. Considering that this is a 28-year event, this is high praise indeed.

Congratulations and thanks go to all who helped put on the tour. The tour, and the time and effort put behind it, is another example of our generous community.