Y.E.L.L. DEMONSTRATES GENEROSITY OF REGION

Thank you.

The generosity of people in Cape Girardeau and Jackson will enable this year's Newspaper in Education (N.I.E.) program to become a reality.

Last Wednesday's Y.E.L.L. for Newspapers was a smashing success, thanks to local support. About 9,000 newspapers sold out in about four hours.

The project, a first-time event for the Cape-Jackson area, raised nearly $13,000. The money will be divided equally between the Southeast Missourian's N.I.E. program and special United Way literacy programs.

The project was a tribute the community spirit between Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Deserving special thanks are the 250 volunteers who hawked the special newspapers at 43 street corners in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. It marked the first time individuals have been allowed to sell on street corners, and required special City Council permission to accomplish. Motorists were also very cooperative and deserve our thanks for any inconvenience that morning. Everyone seemed to understand the importance of this project. Equally important, volunteers had lots of fun.

At the heart of the campaign is literacy. Last year, our N.I.E. program reached 2,500 children. Newspapers were sent five days a week to more than 200 classrooms in both public and parochial schools in the region. With proceeds in hand, this year's program will be gearing up in the next few weeks.

The United Way will putting its share of the proceeds into existing and new literacy programs aimed at our youth.

Y.E.L.L. stands for youth, education, literacy and learning. Destined to become an annual event, Y.E.L.L. for Newspapers succeeded only because people care. It's a lesson in charity and good will that will surely build momentum as we plan for next year.