Those wishing to contribute to individual profiles already published should indicate the recipient's name. Cash and check donations should be made payable to Toybox, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702.

Salary doesn't keep up with cost of living

A single mom of three school-age children, Melinda said she works hard at the job she's had for three years working with the handicapped.

"You put your heart into [the job] and there's been no raise in three years. My kids have Medicaid but I have no medical insurance. Thank God they have sliding fees at some of the doctor's offices."

A recent trip to the doctor has her concerned about how she will pay for the visit.

Melinda added that her job requires providing her own transportation and that her youngest child, Gay, also requires transportation to and from school. Melinda has felt the rise in gas prices take another chunk out of her salary.

She is hopeful that help from Toybox will make this Christmas happy. A different program in the community helped her last year, and she is especially grateful for the caring it represented.

A firm supporter of educational toys, Melinda asked for flash cards or learning games or toys for all three of her daughters. Helping them to learn without knowing that's what they're doing is the idea.

Her 7-year-old, Destiny, would like DVDs, a learning table, the Bratz blanket set, a purse, dolls, books and a bike.

Beth, 5, would love a Dora the Explorer blanket set, DVDs, a purse, a basketball goal toy, dolls, games and a bike.

Teresa, 3, is asking for a kitchen set, dolls, bears, a purse, balls and a Strawberry Shortcake blanket set.

Four children are hoping Santa will come

Juanita, a single mother of four, recently had her phone disconnected. The financial strain she's under makes being positive a daily challenge.

If Santa could help provide necessities for a growing family along with a toy or two, remaining positive would not be so much of a challenge.

Randy, 7, wears a 7 in pants. He'd like action figures, a Game Boy and the movie "Ghost Rider."

Della, age 5, is a size 7 in pants, a size 10 to 12 in shirts and a size 1 to 2 in socks. A warm blanket is needed, too. Other suggestions include anything that features a princess or Dora the Explorer. She'd like a scooter or a Barbie movie.

James, 4, wears a 6X in clothes; shirts 7 to 8; socks 12 to 1. Anything SpongeBob themed or that features dinosaurs, bugs or trucks would make him happy this Christmas.

Katrina, only a year and half old, wears a 3T in clothes and 18 to 36 months in socks. A warm blanket is on her list. As for toys, she likes any that make sounds or music. A baby doll is also on her list.