KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Starting today, your lose change can go to help a good cause.  Hospice of Northeast Missouri is kicking of the Quarter Mile Campaign.  The money Hospice raises will cover the costs of patient care expenses including comfort medications, equipment, supplies, and frequent home visits by Hospice staff.

Your donations will also help Hospice ensures that no patient is ever turned away for inability to pay.

“Throughout the year, people can give through memorials or donations.  But, once a year we have our own drive to try to raise monies.  And being a non-for-profit, all of that monies will go directly in to help those who have a need,” said Terrill Roberts, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for Hospice of Northeast Missouri.

Since opening in 1994, Hospice has provided care to over 150 patients each year.

Quarters can be dropped at participating banks in Adair, Macon, Shelby, Lewis, Linn, Knox, Schuyler, Scotland, Putnam, and Sullivan counties.

Folks are asked to support the campaign by donating a quarter, a foot of quarters which would be three-dollars, or a yard of quarters for nine-dollars through July 12, 2010. All donations will be accepted, even bills. It will take 63,360 quarters to equal one mile.

“We just hope that all people young and old come out and help us support this much needed cause and we hope it’s very successful.  We will keep everyone posted on our progress and hopefully we’ll be able to raise that goal of a mile of quarters,” Roberts said.

For information about participating banks contact Hospice of Northeast Missouri directly. Their number is 660-627-9711 or toll-free at 1-888-627-9711.  You can stop by their office located at 201 South Baltimore Street (Alliant Bank Building), Suite C in Kirksville.