FOUNDATION'S BUNKO MIGHT EARNS $3,400 FOR PROJECTS AT SCHOOLS

Bunko enthusiasts helped raise funding that will be used for special projects in Cape Girardeau schools during a tournament Tuesday at Clippard Elementary School.

"It went wonderfully," said Kandee Metje, co-executive coordinator of the Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation. "We're thinking about doing another next fall because everyone had so much fun." The foundation sponsored the event.

Metje said $3,400 was collected in entry fees from participants, corporate sponsors and a matching grant from Wal-Mart.

Sharon Mueller, foundation president, won the tournament with the most wins scored. Becky Decker won with the most losses scored, and Lyn Stoecker won for the most Bunkos scored.

Bunko is a dice game similar to Yahtzee in which players earn points for each round won or lost. A bunko is achieved each time a player's dice roll adds up to six.

"You're constantly having different partners and moving around," Metje said. "It's a really neat social game."

Proceeds earmarked

Some of the proceeds will be earmarked for improvements at Clippard at the request of tournament participants.

The remainder will go into the foundation's general fund to be used for arts and athletic needs not provided for at the new high school campus.

The new high school is being built on a gravel portion of Silver Springs Road and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2002.

The foundation, formed in 1995 to raise funds to renovate the high school track, was reactivated last year to seek donations from alumni, area corporations and businesses.

The foundation's directors representatives from parent-teacher groups, athletic and school booster clubs set the foundation's goals and objectives.

Metje, a secretary at Louis J. Schultz School, and assistant high school principal Rich Payne are paid from foundation funds to spearhead fund-raising efforts.

There are several levels of tax-deductible giving. Donations may be made by calling (573) 335-5850 or by mailing checks to the Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 399, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0399..