11TH ANNUAL SWIM-A-CROSS TO HELP RED CROSS TO BE MARCH 9

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A "Bart Simpson Beach Party" is the theme of this year's American Red Cross Swim-A-Cross planned for March 9 at the Central High School pool.

The Cape Girardeau Chapter of the American Red Cross will sponsor the 11th annual event, where participants will swim laps or jog to raise money for the organization. Participants will recruit sponsor commitments of a minimum of 10 cents per lap.

"Many community residents have called the local Red Cross office to inquire about how they can be of help in this time of military activity," said Debbie Bowers, local chapter executive director. "This is an opportunity to support the Red Cross services to the troops and their families and have a day of family fun too."

The Red Cross provides a wide range of services to members of the armed forces and their families, including blood and blood products to the military, a 24-hour international emergency communications service between troops in the Middle East and their families, emergency financial assistance to families, and comfort kits to military personnel.

The Swim-A-Cross begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m. All participants will receive a certificate of participation. Those turning in $35 or more will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Four traveling trophies will be presented for the service club, community group, Greek organization and other campus groups raising the most donations, said Jeanne Hey, Swim-A-Cross chairman.

The individual who collects the most donations will receive a weekend at Lake Barkley Lodge in Kentucky and four, one-day passes to Six Flags in St. Louis.

"The work of the Red Cross is always important to any community, but in this time of military crisis, and it's occurrence just after the earthquake scare, our assistance locally to support the Red Cross is vital to support of these much-needed services," said Hey.

To register call the Red Cross at 335-9471. Registration will also take place the day of the event.