MADD TO HOLD VIGIL FOR VICTIMS

A candlelight vigil to remember those killed or injured by drunken drivers is planned next week at the Cape Girardeau Police Department, 40 S. Sprigg.

The Cape Girardeau County Mothers Against Drunk Driving Community Action Team will provide ornaments with the loved ones' names and birth dates for family members to hang on a special Christmas tree at the police department. The ornaments also have the dates the loved ones were killed or injured by a drunken driver.

The ornaments will be hung after the candlelight vigil, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the police department.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau Chief of Police Howard "Butch" Boyd are the featured speakers.

"This is a first-time event for us," said Sharee Galnore of the local MADD chapter. "We anticipate good community support for this."

In addition to scheduling the vigil, MADD kicked off its annual red ribbon campaign this week.

The red ribbons -- available at police departments in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department -- are tied on vehicles to remind people not to drink and drive, especially during the holiday season.

Anyone interested in attending the vigil who also would like to have a loved one remembered should contact the MADD office by Friday at 335-7908.