FUNDS COLLECTED FOR VICTIMS OF CAR CRASH

JACKSON -- A fund-raising effort to benefit the family of victims in a seven-car crash last week near Gordonville is being coordinated by Country Mart in Jackson.

Three members of Stan Roth's family were injured in the crash. One-year-old Whittney Roth died Wednesday at Children's Hospital in St. Louis while her mother, Ruth Roth, is being treated for major leg injuries at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

The family has four other children, including a 3-year-old who received a broken arm in the crash.

Stan Roth has been on leave from both his jobs since the accident. He works days at Lee Rowan and nights and weekends at Country Mart.

The grocery store started posting information about the victims' conditions to keep Roth's co-workers updated. After reading the reports, people began offering contributions.

Several large donations have come from Lee Rowan employees. A Jackson church is helping to pay some funeral costs. Another church donated canned and boxed foods. People have also been bringing in canned goods along with cash contributions.

For every dollar donated, another $2 will be donated by the Lutheran Brotherhood, working through their representative Ken Volkerding.

The Country Mart store, at highways 25 and 61, is acting as a clearinghouse for all donations. For information, call the store at 243-8171.