DEXTER GIRL TO SERVE AS POSTER CHILD FOR CEREBRAL PALSY CENTER

A 4-year-old Dexter girl has been selected as the poster child for the 23rd annual Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center Charity Walk and Auction.

Cheryl Fortner, the daughter of Larry and Glenda Fortner of Dexter, was selected by a committee of center staff members. The walk and auction will be held Oct. 26.

John Chadd, executive director of Kenny Rogers center in Sikeston, said that Fortner will be an "ambassador" to the public for the other children at the center.

The Sikeston Eagles, who will sponsor the walk and auction, will ask Fortner to appear and represent the center at several public events before and after the annual walk.

Fortner, who has cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia, enrolled in the Center in March 1995 and is currently receiving four of the most severe treatments that the center offers. But, said Chadd, "besides being beautiful, she has a very outgoing personality and is making excellent progress on her therapies."

Because she is involved in all four therapies, said Chadd, Fortner is very representative of the kind of children the center serves.

"It's critical for the public to understand the different kinds of services we offer, and seeing Cheryl will help them see that," said Chadd.

Registration for the annual walk and auction will begin at 9 a.m. the Sikeston K-Mart the day of the event. The walk, which is conducted as part of National Let's Make A Difference Day, begins at 10:00 a.m. Participants can enter the walk as individuals or as teams.

Dan Droddy, president of the Sikeston Eagles, said that the walk is "a great way to help children like Cheryl Fortner, and earn fabulous prizes as well".

For more information about the charity walk and auction, contact the Sikeston Eagles at (573) 471-6133 or the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center at (573) 472-0397.