St. Jude Dream House early bird drawing held Friday

A year's worth of free groceries from Country Mart will be given away at the early bird drawing broadcast on the KFVS-12 evening news Friday. Individuals who purchased tickets by May 1 are eligible to enter the drawing.

The 2,400-square-foot, two-story house, valued at $275,000, has the potential to raise $500,000 for research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Tickets are available at $100 each; 2,400 have been sold already. Deadline for the drawing is June 22.

For every 500 tickets sold prizes valued at $1,000 or more will be given away. Among them are a 3.85-carat diamond gold bracelet from McGinty's Jewelers; club membership initiation from Dalhousie Country Club; a maple china hutch from Prestigious Designs; 12 Drury Inn free night certificates from Drury Southwest, Inc.; a year's worth of gift certificates from Tractor's Restaurant; a customized facial and a spa pedicure per month for a year at Elements Ultimate Salon; a $1,000 gift certificate from Budget Blinds; one year of high-speed Internet from Clas Computers and more.

Tickets may be purchased at Union Planters Bank, Coldwell Banker Hamilton Realty or by calling 1-800-382-8604.

Open houses are scheduled on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 12 to 5 p.m. Sundays from May 31 to June 15. Attendees at the open house are eligible for a $5,000 shopping spree at Michael Tanner Furnishings. The home is located at Touchdown Estates, 146 Super Bowl Drive, at the intersection of County Road 616 and Route W in Cape Girardeau County, near Jackson.

The house, about two-thirds completed, is expected to be near completion for the upcoming open houses.

Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact Martha Hamilton, project chairwoman with Coldwell Banker Hamilton Realty.