Soles4Souls shoe drive hosted by locals

Soles4Souls; St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 804 N. Cape Rock Drive; and Marcy's Planet Shoes, 3050 William St., will be collecting new or slightly worn footwear and donations. Every donation will support the charity's initiative to distribute shoes to those in need. Through the Soles4Souls sponsorship by the SEMO Horticulture Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter, shoes will also be collected on the Southeast Missouri State University campus during this shoe collection week. The event runs today through April 1. Information on making donations and volunteering can be obtained from St. Andrews Lutheran Church by calling 334-3200, or by contacting Cheryl Reinagel at creinagel@semo.edu or Rhonda Weller-Stilson at rstilson@semo.edu. More information on Soles4Souls can be found at www.giveshoes.org.

Lenton luncheon scheduled for Wednesday

The Benton Christian Mission is hosting a Lenton luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Calvin Brown.

La Croix Church to host Seder meal

La Croix Church will host a Seder meal at 6 p.m. Thursday. Micha Cohen of Jews for Jesus will be the speaker for the evening. Jews for Jesus uses creative methods and contemporary issues to present the message that Jesus is the Messiah to Jewish people around the world. Cohen serves as an evangelist with the Chicago branch of Jews for Jesus. A light meal will be served in addition to the Seder meal. Seating is limited and advance tickets are required. Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased at the La Croix Church guest services desk, 3102 Lexington Ave. in Cape Girardeau.

2012 Dogwood-Azalea Pageants

The Charleston, Mo., Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2012 Dogwood-Azalea Pageants for ages 3 to 18. The contest is set at 6:30 p.m. April 17 at the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Auditorium in Charleston. Door admission for the public is $4 per person, and doors open at 5:45 p.m. Age divisions for the contest are girls ages 3 to 4 years, 5 to 6 years, 7 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years, 13 to 15 years and 16 to 18 years. Attire for ages 3 to 12 is Sunday best/Spring casual while attire for ages 13 to 18 is formal wear only. Entry fee for the pageant is $30 for the beauty portion of the contest. There are five special events (Most Photogenic, Best Dressed, Best Model, Prettiest Eyes, Prettiest Hair and Prettiest Smile) that are optional categories to enter. Fee for the special events are $5 per event. Entry deadline is April 2. Late entries will be accepted until 8 p.m. April 5. No entries accepted after the final April 5 deadline. For entry information or to send entries and fees, call contest director Kandi Staples at 649-2702 or 380-1413. Forms can be printed online at the Charleston Chamber of Commerce website or at www.southeastpageants.com.