YELL SUPPORTERS GUARANTEE SUCCESS FOR LITERARY EFFORTS

Thanks to you, the fifth year of YELL unfolded as a real success story.

Hundreds of volunteers hit the streets last Tuesday morning, armed with special YELL editions of the Southeast Missourians that were stuffed with news about literacy programs, comic books and prizes. These volunteer hawkers raised more than $18,000 in just over two hours. With advertising and street sales combined, YELL generated an impressive $35,000. The proceeds will be split between Newspaper in Education programs and local literacy grants, administered through the Area Wide United Way.

The hawkers' success on the streets was due to amiable and generous motorists, who shelled out $2 or more for the YELL edition. Each donation helped reinforce the importance of literacy efforts in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Thanks to you, N.I.E. newspapers will return to classrooms in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

Daily newspapers augment textbooks in bringing students the most current events. Last year, more than 3,000 newspapers were delivered each week to area schools. The newspapers are used in a number of subject areas including history, English, mathematics, current events, economics, journalism, and much more.

Thanks to you, literacy programs in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will earn funding.

Last year's YELL grant recipients were as varied as the people they served. Youngsters at L.J. Schultz Middle School earned a boost in their Reading Club. Libraries in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City used grant monies to further specific reading programs or purchase books aimed at building literacy.

Rainbow Village reached out to youngsters at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center thanks in part to a literacy grant. Easter Seals used its grant to improve its computer resource center. Another program recipient, the Ed Spicer Memorial Tutorial Program, aided Cape Girardeau school children with their homework. St. Paul Lutheran School used its grant to acquire much needed computer software to test children's comprehension of books.

Since 1991, YELL has helped reinforce Youth, Education, Literacy and Learning in Southeast Missouri. School-age children to adults have benefited from this emphasis on literacy. Members of the Southeast Missourian staff also deserve kudos for the additional hours spent to make YELL a yearly reality.

Thanks to you, YELL has helped the region reinforce the message that reading is essential.