TOPPENISH -- A benefit fund has been established to help in the search for three Yakama fishermen missing since their boat capsized a week ago Tuesday on the Columbia River.

Donations will be used primarily to buy food as well as fuel for boats and generators, according to a news release issued by the Yakama Nation.

Relatives of the missing men-- Gailen Espirito, James Peter Jr. and Rommel Strom -- met Tuesday at Yakama Nation headquarters outside Toppenish to coordinate donations of food, money and replacement staffing for the kitchen at the command post at the Home Valley Park and Launch.

Those interested in donating to the benefit fund should call the Riverview Community Bank in Stevenson, Wash., at 509-427-5603. Donations may be mailed to the bank:
Benefit Account, Espirito-Peter-Strom, 223 S.W. Second St., Stevenson, WA 98648.

An estimated 150 volunteers, friends and visitors are spending time at the command post, according to the news release.

Any signs of the men may be reported to the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission's enforcement office at 800- 487-3474.

EDITOR'S NOTE -- This story has been updated to correct erroneous information that appeared in the originally published version.