By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force needs volunteers for its spaghetti dinner, which will help fund a visit to meet with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Chairman Chuck Kelly said the task force is doing its best to stop the closure of inpatient care for adults and children at the Ogdensburg-based state hospital, but the work requires funding.

"We are focusing on this dinner right now. It's our biggest fundraiser. We've got to raise money to keep fighting," he said.

Kelly said the SLPC Task Force has purchased T-Shirts, signs and advertising, and has other costs that require additional funding. He said the group plans to send representatives to Albany to meet with Gov. Cuomo, but the trip will also cost money.

Kelly said the governor agreed to meet with the task force at the Waddington Bassmasters tournament, but no date has been set yet. He said the task force will send a letter of request after financing for the trip is secured.

"Our members are volunteers, it wouldn't be fair to ask them to pay for the trip out of their own pockets," he said.

Kelly said 1,000 dinner tickets will be sold for the Sept. 14 spaghetti dinner at the Knights of Columbus.

"I'd like to see every employee at the psychiatric center purchase a ticket," he said.

Kelly said the Knights of Columbus and task force have provided volunteers but more helps is still needed.

"We need drivers, we need volunteers, we need more hands," he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Coralee Barrett at 393-6100 or any member of the Task Force.

The dinner will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at 721, Hasbrouck St.

Dinners will be available for $8 per plate or $5 for children ages 5 to 9 years.

Children under five may eat for free.

Takeouts and Save SLPC T-shirts will also be available.