YELL VOLUNTEERS READY TO HIT STREETS

Sometimes he gets a little sweaty and sometimes his hands get a little dirty, but Cape Girardeau Circuit Judge William S. Syler doesn't mind. It's YELL.

He will be standing at the corner of Broadway and Kingshighway again this year selling special editions of the Southeast Missourian. Proceeds of the event fund literacy efforts in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Syler is among dozens of repeat volunteers, many from service clubs, who will take to the streets Tuesday morning to sell the newspaper for a $2 donation.

"I told the lawyers I may be a little late Tuesday morning," said the judge.

Syler is a member of the Lions Club. Between 12 and 18 members of the club are expected to participate. "It's a good opportunity for my club, anytime they get involved in a project together," he said. "We all get to know each other a little better. Everyone just rolls up their sleeves and puts on those aprons and gets to work."

In addition, a couple hours work on a Tuesday morning will raise enough money to fund literacy events throughout the year.

"It's a lot of fun," Syler said. "It gets a little hectic and real crowded at that intersection. But that's good for sales."

Often motorists are eager to shell out their $2 donation.

"Oh, some people stare ahead and pretend we're not there," Syler said. "But we have people who will buy multiple copies from every corner. Others buy one and put it on their dashboards."

It's hard to predict who the best sales prospects will be, Syler said. "Sometimes we approach people who look like they can't afford to put gas in the tank, and they'll buy two or three copies. You just can't tell."

A souvenir, 12-page newspaper section dedicated to Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire will be included in this year's YELL edition.

In addition, the YELL edition will have a 16-page reprint of the Southeast Missourian's eight-day series on methamphetamine.

Some 40 Beanie Babies will be awarded to lucky YELL purchasers. Coupons for the collectible babies will be randomly inserted in the newspapers. Among the 40 Beanie Babies to be given away are the highly sought-after Glory Bear and Fortune Bear.

The YELL edition has stories about literacy efforts under way in the community. A number of local people have written essays about the importance of reading or what they enjoy reading.

YELL stands for Youth Education Literacy and Learning. Money collected during the one-day fund raising event is used for the Southeast Missourian's Newspaper In Education program. Newspapers are delivered to area classrooms at no cost to schools. In addition, a portion of YELL proceeds will be awarded to local literacy initiatives.

For information, contact Kim McDowell, YELL coordinator, at (573) 335-6611.

WHAT'S INSIDE

-- A 12-page souvenir section dedicated to Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire

-- A 16-page reprint of the Southeast Missourian's eight-day series on methamphetamine.

-- Stories about literacy efforts under way in the area.

-- Essays from local residents about the importance of reading.