Sikeston event organizers hope to raise funds and awareness for veterans

SIKESTON, Mo. -- To Tammy Barborek, there will never be a way to thank veterans enough for all of their service.

"The veterans deserve a lot more tribute than what we give them," she said.

And that's why she pitched the idea of a "Hands Across Sikeston" event in honor of veterans to fellow members of the Ladies Auxiliary Post 3174, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported.

The event is planned to begin at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the flag pole in Sikeston Sports Complex. Those who register for the event will wear matching T-shirts and join hands in a walk to Veteran's Park, where a picnic will take place.

"We're going to be hand in hand, walking one by one," she said. "No one is going to break the chain."

Sue Rogers, president of the Auxiliary, said she and other group members were "so excited" about Barborek's idea. Like Barborek, Rogers, whose family has served for more than 200 years, said she doesn't think veterans garner enough attention.

"I feel that everybody does appreciate veterans in their hearts, but in our busy lives, we don't often take the time to say 'thank you,'" said Rogers. "This is the way that we can say 'thank you, and we appreciate you,' in unison to all of them."

Barborek said she suggested the idea -- which she's been contemplating for several years -- in response to a walk for a different cause she saw years ago in another state. She finally brought up the idea not only as a way to honor veterans but also raise money for some of the charities the Auxiliary supports. "There is nothing better than helping organizations that need it," she said.

The $20 registration fee due from each individual will pay for their T-shirt and ticket to the hot dog meal to follow in the park. Additional proceeds will be split among four charities: the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau; the Fisher House in St. Louis; a political action committee that fights for veterans' rights on a federal and state level; and for local causes.

Organizers said they want "Hands Across Sikeston," which they intend to make an annual event, to reach out to all of the different facets of the community.

"I hope that people really come on board with this," said Shirley Tetley, legislative chairperson for the Auxiliary. "It will be a wonderful, wonderful thing, and anybody that wants can buy a T-shirt, participate in the walk and take part in the picnic."

She added that veterans who are wheelchair-bound will be able to participate in "Hands Across Sikeston" as well.

Tetley said that Auxiliary members also plan to contact schools once classes are back in session and invited students to come out and participate in the walk as well.

"We want people from every organization, every church, everything," said Rogers. "I don't care who they are or from what part of the community, we are encouraging them to be a part of this and would love to have them participate."

Rogers said that while the plans are still coming together for the event, everyone she's spoken with about it is excited. "T-shirt orders are already coming in," she said, noting the Auxiliary hopes to see at least 1,000 people joining hands in the event. In the future, the members would like to see other communities plan similar events until every city in the state has such an event.

The veterans have also been "well-accepting" of the award, according to Rogers.

"On Tuesday night, I made the announcement to them at the VFW Post monthly meeting," she said. "It's indescribable what I saw in their faces when I started telling them about it and explaining it to them."

Rogers continued: "A number of them came up and said 'We really appreciate what the Auxiliary is doing to make people aware of the veterans.' It brought tears to my eyes."

Order forms for T-shirts will be available this week at First Realty and Pizza Inn, as well as other locations around town up to the event. They can also be obtained by calling Tetley at 573-620-2454 or Rogers at 573-472-0012. Cost is $20 for children and adult sizes small through extra large, and $25 each for 2XL, 3XL and 4XL.