Running down the list: Volunteer Santas make Toybox deliveries

As the man in the red suit tossed a black bag over his shoulder, a group of children gawked and pointed.

"They see you, Santa Claus," said Laura Waggener, 13, as she stood in an apartment complex parking lot, scanning a list of homes on their toy delivery route.

"Ho, ho, ho!" Matt Hollis yelled back with a wave.

Throughout Cape Girardeau on Thursday night, 24 Santas dispersed toys to needy children. Co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, Toybox has been bringing presents to children for 34 years.

This year, 374 families and a total of about 1,500 children were served. That's an increase of about 300 children from last year, although donations were down.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comSantas prepare to hit the town with Toybox gifts for families Thursday evening in Cape Girardeau.

The McClinton children, Jayvion, 4, Jashantie, 3, Jazreil, 10, and Jarreil, 8, all shyly stole glances at Hollis as he stood in their family room near their glowing Christmas tree. The two oldest children wanted Game Boy games, while the youngest wanted a baby doll and a toy car.

They hadn't been expecting Santa in their home but rushed to the door when they heard who it was. After stowing the sack of gifts away -- not to be opened until Christmas -- Hollis left the children with a friendly reminder: "Please leave some cookies on the 25th. Santa's got to keep this belly full. And remember, I'm always watching."

Then he was off to his next house, as the children attempted to peek into the bag. Leaders tried to make sure each child received at least one toy specific to what was requested.

Organizer and Jaycee Tracy Haggerty blames the economy for the decrease in donations this year. "We really had to dip deep into our budget reserves. We hope that next year things will be better for people," she said.

Nevertheless, she is still grateful for the community's generosity. As of Tuesday, donations were down about $11,000. But a last-minute push netted $5,000 to $6,000.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comSanta Claus Matt Hollis receives a high five from Jashantie McClinton, 3, during a Toybox gift delivery Thursday in Cape Girardeau. Hollis has volunteered with Toybox for five years and said that all the work is worth it once the eyes of the children light up.

Volunteers met at a warehouse on Kingshighway, spending time straightening beards, adjusting outfits and mapping their routes before loading sacks and heading out in a fleet of vans donated by Cape Auto Pool.

Troy Vaughn traveled with his wife, Lori, and their children, Casey, 11, and Allison, 9. While this is Troy Vaughn's fourth year helping with the program, it is his children's first. He wants them to understand there are people less fortunate than themselves and to see the benefits of giving back.

He still remembers his second year, when he entered a home where the family was heating the house with an open oven.

"The little girl, she just grabbed on to my leg. She thought I was the real thing. By the time I got to the van I was in tears. You just want something so much better for her. But we were able to make her Christmas happier. And the parents are always so grateful, so wonderful to you," he said.

This year, Hollis brought along friend Ken Retter and Caroline Retter, 13, for the Toybox delivery so they could see where their donations go.

"It's fun to see all the kids smiling," said Caroline Retter, who was dressed in a former Christmas dance costume, a red velveteen dress with white trim.

Children were not the only ones receiving special deliveries Thursday. Through the Christmas for the Elderly program, needy seniors received household items, clothes and gift certificates through the donations of the community. The program is sponsored by the Cape Jaycees, the Southeast Missourian, Division of Senior Services and the Cape County Public Health Center. The program is in its 24th year.

Giving feels good, Retter said. As she entered the Clark home, she found how much the donations can mean to a family.

"This is just so much appreciated," said mother Lawanda Clark.

"Tell Santa thank you," shouted 4-year-old Breana.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

388-3627

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