Newspaper seeks logo, slogan, mascot for anti-litter campaign

Wanted: A catchy phrase and trash-hating mascot to help clean up Cape Girardeau County.

The Southeast Missourian is sponsoring a contest to find a logo, slogan and mascot for the region's anti-litter campaign.

The campaign kicked off in March after the newspaper received a growing number of complaints about litter in the area. A task force including city officials from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City as well as the Missouri Department of Transportation has since formed to address issues surrounding litter.

Many successful anti-litter campaigns at the national level have memorable slogans. The National Forest Service has Woodsy the Owl and "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute." Lady Bird Johnson had "Keep America Beautiful."

Now it's Southeast Missouri's turn.

The contest is open to the community, and local businesses involved in design have also been invited to participate.

David Coleman, associate creative director at Red Letter Communications Inc. in Cape Girardeau, said his team is among those interested in taking part in the contest.

"I think it's good to use local talent to help the community on important issues like this," Coleman said.

Suggestions will be printed in the newspaper, and readers will vote on the final version.

Ideas can be mailed to Litter Campaign c/o Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702 or submitted on the Southeast Missourian Web site at www.semissourian.com.

On the newspaper's homepage, a link called "War against litter" includes the online entry form. Entries can also be e-mailed to litter@semissourian.com.

The deadline for submitting entries is May 13.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128