BENEFIT WILL AID SCHOLARSHIP FOR RETIRING COACH

SIKESTON -- A benefit dinner to raise money for a scholarship honoring long-time Charleston basketball coach Lennies McFerren will be held here Friday.

The dinner is being sponsored by Women of the '90s and will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Brick House Productions, 800 W. North St., in Sikeston.

Donations are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

The sponsors plan the dinner to honor McFerren, who is leaving Charleston for a coaching and administrative position at New Madrid County Central High School.

Since beginning his coaching career in 1977, McFerren's "contributions, accomplishments and role model leadership for our youth, as well as adults, have been well-documented on and off the basketball court," say the event's organizers.

The planned scholarship will be available to all deserving students, not just athletes. Persons wanting to contribute to the Lennies McFerren Scholarship Fund can send donations to First Security State Bank, c/o Hal Bonner, Charleston, Mo., 63834.

For tickets, persons may call 472-3449 (Sikeston), 683-3712 (Charleston), 688-2165 (New Madrid) and 334-8272 (Cape Girardeau).

No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at the dinner.