A Cape Girardeau idea aimed at putting shoes on the feet of Iraqi children and school supplies in their classrooms is spreading across the Missouri-Kansas border.

James and Heidi LaFentres were inspired by Jess LaFentres, James' brother, who is serving with the National Guard in Iraq. Jess, 41, is a chief warrant officer.

The idea came during an online family chat session when family members asked Jess, of St. Louis, what he would like the family to send him in a care package.

Jess listed a few things, then thought better of it. He said he'd like them to send shoes for the children he sees every day walking barefoot in the streets.

Later, he told the family that the teachers are in need of school supplies.

So the Cape Girardeau couple has taken on a collection drive, aiming to fill 200 medium-sized boxes by the end of June.

"Me and my brother didn't speak for about 10 years prior to him going to Iraq," James said. "My brother's a good man, honest and straight."

James, 37, said that for years he tried to live up to his brother's standards but couldn't and they went their separate ways. When Jess got called to Iraq, however, James said he wanted to open the lines of communication again. He said he was afraid his brother might die without knowing how much he loved him.

Later, James was inspired by what his brother said.

"They could've asked for anything, but he saw the kids with no shoes and no school supplies, so he just wanted us to send what we had on hand. I decided that wasn't enough for my brother. I wanted to do more than that."

Call of chance

Through a happenstance telephone encounter, the idea has caught on in Lawrence, Kan., as well. A woman who works as a telemarketer for a charity organization in Lawrence accidentally called James -- it was a wrong number -- seeking donations for a benefit. And James donated, then talked to her about his idea.

The telemarketer, named Marjorie Watson, agreed to help the cause. Now, she says she has half a living room full of supplies, most of which came from schools. She said she has gathered chalk, eyeglasses, shoes, watches and coats, much of which has been left in lost-and-found closets.

She says she believes God had a hand in putting the two parties together.

The television news recently did a segment on the collection.

In Cape Girardeau, the collection has been slow-going. Some businesses have contributed. The couple has also collected several boxes of supplies from Blanchard Elementary. The boxes were filled with soccer balls, footballs and other sports equipment. The LaFentreses are also asking for pens and pencils, anything a teacher could use.

Years ago, Jess LeFentres was a member of the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau, which just came back from Iraq. But when he moved, he switched units. He's a member of the 1035th Maintenance Company of De Soto, but he has been deployed with Company A of the 735th Support Battalion.

Steve Engelmann, an employee of the family assistance center for the 1140th, said the Cape Girardeau unit is trying to help the family find resources for shipping. Jeff Robinson, the family readiness group leader for the 1035th, said there were funds available to help ship the supplies and said, "We'd be glad to help with that."

Heidi LaFentres said UPS and U-Haul have said they will help with the boxes and packing tape.

bmiller@semissourian.com

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