Pay for the Pups still needs more donations

The fundraising effort to pay for two new police dogs still needs community support in the form of donations.

The cost of replacing the Cape Girardeau Police Department's dogs will be about $24,000, with $12,000 already donated by the Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club and $1,800 raised so far by the Pay for the Pups campaign, which has been underway for two months.

Pay for the Pups is sponsored by the police department, the Southeast Missourian Jr. publication for young readers and local schools. Through this program, classrooms organize fundraising events. All classes that participate are featured in the Southeast Missourian Jr.

Cheryl Ellis, coordinator of the Southeast Missouri Jr. and organizer of Pay for the Pups, said schools have been involved in Missouri Assessment Program testing and schools have been closed for bad weather, curtailing some of the fundraising efforts.

An earlier Pay for the Pups campaign raised funds for the two dogs that are being retired.

Teachers and students are encouraged to get involved in Pay for the Pups. It's a good way for youngsters to get involved in a community project and to learn about how organizations go about raising money for things that benefit the community.

For more information about Pay for the Pups, contact Ellis at 388-2785.