IC rebuilds

GERALD HERBERT * Associated Press

Store manager Ganba Puntsg held ephedrine-free dietary supplements at the Yes Natural Food store in Washington Monday. People who thought ephedra helped them drop pounds are looking to alternatives to replace the soon-to-be-banned dietary supplement.By Laura Johnston ~ Southeast Missourian

Trying to raise $1 million in pledges and donations isn't an easy task, but members of Immaculate Conception parish in Jackson know it's not impossible either.

"We took a really big leap of faith," said Bonnie Poythress, a parish member who serves as liaison between the school and church.

The parish needs the money to fund construction of a new school building and gym after its old building was damaged by a tornado.

The church is hosting a fund-raising event Jan. 31 to benefit the school's construction project. The benefit gala is being called "A Taste of New Orleans" and will be held at the Bavarian Halle. The formal event includes cocktails, a meal and dancing.

"This is an opportunity for people in the community who want to help, to help," Poythress said.

Since the old school building had to be demolished because of structural damage, the parish leaders felt it was time to go ahead with its long-term construction plan. Originally, the parish wasn't going to replace its oldest structure for another 15 years.

But after weeks of asking parishioners to make greater gifts to the church, a capital campaign was devised to help raise the $3.5 million needed to complete construction of the new building.

The remainder of the project's costs will be financed through a loan, church officials said.

Currently the school is using modular classrooms to fill the vacancy left when its old building was torn down. Construction on the new building, which will add about 25,000 square feet of classroom space and a 24,000-square-foot gymnasium, should be complete by late August or September.

Tickets for the gala are available by calling Marsha Vangilder at 243-8869 or the church office at 243-3182.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126