Organizers of a Black Family Reunion made a pitch Thursday for sponsors to help fund activities aimed at supporting family values. The reunion is set for Aug. 12-14 at Arena Park.

Benjamin Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP, will be guest speaker, and concerts by nationally known musical groups, Commissioned and Guess, will be presented.

"This is a celebration reunion of family values," said Calvin Bird, president of the new River Heritage Coalition for Minority Progress. This group will oversee the reunion and other events in the future.

"We hope to kindle some fires and spark people to go out and make some changes, if we determine changes need to be made," Bird said.

Organizers said Thursday they are between $20,000 and $25,000 short of their $78,000 budget for the event. Goods and services are also needed to make the weekend a success, said Paul Garland, co-chairman of the event.

Garland said the planning committee has committed to expenditures in the $60,000 range and expects other expenses to crop up before the event.

Garland and other committee members spoke with potential sponsors Thursday to explain the event and ask for support.

Procter & Gamble Co. has donated $19,500. Kevin Vangelder with P&G said the company sees the reunion as a way to support the community and the company's employees.

"They are not just talking about what to do," Vangelder said. "This is an event, something positive to bring together people. It supports our community and also supports our business."

Vangelder hopes the event will provide a support base in Cape Girardeau to attract minority businesses and employees.

Carol Keeler, co-chairman of the event, likened the reunion to a barn-raising. "We're thinking big, but to raise this huge barn we need our neighbors to help. Truthfully, we cannot do it without you."

The reunion begins Aug. 12 with a prayer breakfast and leadership forum, at which Hooks, past executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will speak.

On Aug. 12, a concert at the Arena Building features national rhythm and blues group Guess.

On Aug. 13, 11 theme workshops will address issues like health care, gang awareness, teen-age parenting and black entrepreneurship.

That night, the Grammy-nominated gospel group Commissioned will perform at the Show Me Center with the Williams Brothers and Rapture.

On Aug. 14, a free fellowship picnic will be held at Arena Park following morning services at area churches.

Throughout the weekend a carnival will be open. Two-on-two basketball and double-dutch jump rope competitions will be held and the Power Rangers, popular children's television characters, will make appearances on Saturday.

Tickets are being sold for the prayer breakfast and leadership forum, the Aug. 12 concert and the Aug. 13 concert.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is sponsor of the event. Information about the reunion is available by calling the chamber at 335-3312.