THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008

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Maine West Cheerleaders To Pitch In On 'Poppy Day'

The Wednesday, Mar. 12 headline in the Des Plaines Journal- "Vets Looking For Volunteers To Help With Annual Poppy Day Fundraising"- attracted the attention of Sharon Colbert, head cheerleading coach at Maine West High School.

"I was looking for something they could do annually," Colbert said. "We've been doing different fundraisers for charity. We participated in a couple last year such as a Des Plaines clean up which they did at Lake Opeka and the annual Turkey Trot for the Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Food Pantry."

Colbert said she will contact leaders of Des Plaines VFW Post 2992 to inform them that the Maine West cheerleaders are volunteering their time for the Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18 Poppy Day fundraiser.

During Poppy Day, local residents "show their respect and desire to help local military veterans who require care."

Proceeds from the collection are used to purchase food and clothing for the permanent residents of the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago.

"We're also going to participate in a festival at Maryville," said Colbert. "We're volunteering the whole day. We have a booth and we'll be selling pizza," said Colbert. She added that proceeds will benefit Maryville.