FYI 11/23/08

Notre Dame Regional High School thespians collect food

Notre Dame Regional High School Thespian troupe 6344 and Backstage Blues collected 1,825 pounds of food for a local charitable food program, St. Mary's Food Pantry. It was the first year they participated in the International Thespian Society national community service initiative, Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat (TOTS-EAT). They joined more than 320 Thespian troupes from across the U.S. in collecting a record-breaking total of 308,069 pounds of canned and non-perishable food in this year's campaign.

Deadline approaching for Operation Christmas Child program

The deadline for participation in Operation Christmas Child, a program that enables individuals to send a gift-filled shoe box to a child in another part of the world, is closing in. To participate, put items such as toiletries, candy, toys, school supplies and a letter in a shoe box, wrap it and deliver it to a drop off site by Monday. Last year, 12,563 shoe boxes were donated by Southeast Missouri. The goal this year is more than 14,000 boxes. Drop-off sites in the area include St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, First Baptist Church of Millersville, Charleston Baptist Association in Benton, Stokelan Drive Christian Church in Malden, Trinity Gospel in Sikeston and Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter. For more information on drop-off points, call 800-678-7561.