St. Jude Dream House is major fund raiser

Ground has been broken for one of the most exciting fund-raising events ever in our area: The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dream Home. The hospital has an international reputation for its medical care.

One successful fund raiser over the past 13 years has been to build a magnificent home to be given to someone who purchases a $100 Dream Home ticket. For the first time, a Dream Home is being built in Missouri -- in Touchdown Estates in Jackson. Organizers hope the $275,000 house will raise $500,000 for the hospital.

Much of the supplies and labor for the home is either donated or discounted. Typically, half the cost of the house is covered by this generosity, but local organizers hope as much as two-thirds of the Jackson house will be donated.

Tickets will go on sale Feb. 27 at Union Planters Bank facilities in the area.