JACKSON YELL EFFORTS MOVE PEOPLE TO READ

Numerous Jackson organizations are working to make the YELL program a success because the program helps Jackson.

"Jackson money stays in Jackson. Usually the schools and both libraries get grants from that," Valerie Tuschhoff, YELL organizer, said.

YELL has mobilized 15 organizations to help eliminate illiteracy in Jackson.

YELL covers all of Jackson and all organizations in Jackson, according to Tuschhoff.

The American Business Women are standing on the corner of Hope and Main hawking YELL newspapers to passersby.

Cape County Rotary has set up shop at Farmington and Main to help raise money to stamp out illiteracy, while the Jackson police are working the corner of Washington and Highway 61 North.

Immaculate Conception is pushing papers to anybody wanting to help the program on Hope and Adams, while New McKendree United Methodist Youth is shouting for business on South High and Adams.

St. Paul Lutheran is getting into the act by standing in front of the Lutheran School.

Another grant recipient, Riverside Library, is selling YELL papers on Highway 72.

Donna and Old Cape Road is the distribution site for the Jackson Public Library. They have received YELL grants for as long as the program has been in place.

Numerous organizations are standing on street corners and in parking lots selling papers to raise money for grants to be distributed in Jackson.

The Ministerial Alliance is at Wille's Bakery, Jackson Senior Citizens are at Hardees and Burger King, Jackson Rotary is in the Schaper's IGA parking lot, while the Jackson High School Student Council is working all of the schools.

Jackson Merchants are getting into the act at Old Cape and Shawnee, and Boatmen's Bank is hawking papers on Main Street and will help count the money when the papers have been sold. The middle school PTO is selling YELL papers on the corner of Route D and Highway 61.

What could move so many organizations to stand out on a street corner and shout at passersby?

YELL stands for Youth Education Literacy and Learning, and the contributions go to local organizations that promote literacy and learning in the community.

Tuschhoff added another reason why so many get involved. "Everybody really gets excited with this thing, they love to sell the papers."

Last year's grant recipients were St. Paul Lutheran, Immaculate Conception, Jackson Public Library and Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

Grant recipients buy books, newspapers, teaching aids and videos that they otherwise couldn't afford to get.

"I think it is great that the kids have access to the newspapers bought through the YELL program," Tuschhoff said.

The YELL grants give the organizations a chance to buy books they really wanted, Tuschhoff said.

All funds are divided equally between the Area Wide United Way literacy grant programs and the Southeast Missourian's Newspaper in Education program serving schools in Jackson.