RIDES TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S CAUSE

Visitors who take a tethered ride in a hot-air balloon this weekend at the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival can help a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the rides will benefit Children's Miracle Network. The fund-raising event is being held in conjunction with Re/Max Achievers and Schnuck's markets.

Rides will be available after 6 p.m. Saturday for specific donations to the children's group. There will also be a raffle for a ride in a hot-air balloon.

Re/Max real estate agents also will participate in a neighborhood blitz, going door-to-door with collection canisters for a "pennant race." In the race, yards are covered with pennants that cannot be removed until a donation is given to the network.

Children's Miracle Network is an international nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for children's hospitals. All the money donated to the network is used by affiliated hospitals in the community. The money collected in Cape Girardeau is split between St. Louis Children's Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.