LOCAL EFFORT UNDER WAY TO HELP VICTIMS OF HURRICANE

Area Promise Keepers groups and the local ministerial alliances in six Southeast Missouri towns have combined forces to help hurricane victims in Central America.

"We are collecting dry goods, clothing and bottled water for the Honduran people," said Lowell Spane of Chaffee, who is an ambassador for the region's Promise Keepers, a nationwide religious organization for men.

Spane said a trailer will be set up in the Schnucks parking lot in Cape Girardeau, starting today.

Other drop-off points will be established soon in five other cities: Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee, Morley and Sikeston.

Spane said the groups hope to collect three trailer loads of food, clothing and other items.

The groups are working with CARE, a national charity. A trucking company at Perkins has agreed to haul the trailers to Galveston, Texas, where the contents will be shipped by CARE to Central America.

Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America, Spane said. "These people lost everything."

Spane encouraged area residents to donate to the cause. Items needed include dry food like beans and rice, canned goods, can openers, bottled water, light clothing, garden seeds, and light building materials, such as plastic, nails and staples.

Spane said Promise Keepers and the other organizations hope to complete the task within a week or two weeks.

"We have to do it quickly because there is such an urgent need," Spane said.

Persons interested in more information can contact Spane at (573) 887-3144.