BOOTHEEL RAISES MONEY FOR MUSEUM

MALDEN -- Area residents and civic leaders are taking a giant step with the beginning of a capital fund campaign for the Bootheel Youth Museum.

The fund campaign, "Take A Giant Step," will feature the sale of commemorative bricks and tiles to raise money for exhibits.

The bricks will be used on the "Pathway to the Future," as a walkway into the museum and the tiles will displayed on the "Wall of Fame."

Each tile is available for donations of $500, $1,000 and $1,500, depending on colors and logos. Bricks range in price from $50 to $150.

The museum was established in 1990 and offers a variety of hands-on activities for children age 3 to 18.

When completed, the museum will hold more than 25 exhibits including an earthquake center. The museum, at 700A N. Douglas St. in Malden, is expected to open in March.

In addition to the fundraising campaign, the museum was awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program to create a permanent earthquake education exhibit.

For more information about donating to the campaign, call 314-276-3600.