Coach Keith Ellis Fund-raiser Is Saturday

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Educator and coach Keith Ellis was calm and collected at this week's summer football camp, relying on both medicine and his faith as he awaits that all-important call for a new heart.

This is Keith's 20th year of teaching and coaching at the Du Quoin?High School and his game plan never changes--be the best teacher and coach you can be and engage students and athletes in their work the whole time.

Keith is in the throes of congestive heart failure, but he knows that a lot of games have been won on faith and this one is no different. He goes about his day-to-ay work in amazing fashion. No one sees how he does it.

This Saturday, friends are sponsoring a Keith Ellis fundraiser at the Du Quoin American Legion from 4 p.m. until midnight.

Posters hung on doors and in windows all over Perry County are asking the public to "Score One for Coach Ellis!"

He continues to teach and coach, but in between he has been hospitalized numerous time and for extended periods of time.

The answer is a new donor heart and may be just a cell phone call away. His name was placed on the National Heart Transplant Registry in January of this year.

His family is facing many out of pocket hospital bills from Barnes Hospital and monthly medication expenses and that's what this fundraiser is about. There will be BBQ brisket, potato salad, cole slaw, desserts and hot dogs for the kids, a DJ followed by live music by Keenan Rice and his group "We Got It Covered" from 8 p.m. to midnight, a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction, raffle tickets for items that include a beautiful handmade quilt, a donated diamond and sapphire ring and a fishing trip with a professional fishing guide and several prizes.

Special T-Shirts have been created for the event.

A donation of $10 at the door is requested and tickets for the raffle are $1 each or six for $5.

You can contact Sue Davis at 618-521-0426 for more information.