Area groups seeking gifts for children, elderly

Four area programs are seeking money or gifts to benefit children and the elderly this Christmas. Some have been around for decades, others are only a few years old, but they all need help.

Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly

Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly programs are sponsored by Cape Girardeau Jaycees, Division of Senior Services, Cape Girardeau County Health Department and the Southeast Missourian. They both serve people struggling with giving or receiving gifts at Christmas.

Descriptions of the children and elderly will appear daily in the Southeast Missourian beginning Friday. Donations will be taken up to the date of delivery, Dec. 18.

"We find year after year that donations for 1- to 2-year-olds and 11- to 12-year-olds are very slow coming in to our drop-off locations," said Toybox chairwoman Tracy Haggerty. "'High School Musical' and Hannah Montana have made the list of many young girls this year while remote-controlled cars, hand-held video games and sports equipment top the list for our boy applicants."

Suggestions for Toybox, now in its 34th year, included Elmo, blocks and See 'n Says. CD players and arts and crafts kits are appreciated by the preteen group. Educational toys were suggested for ages 6 to 10.

In its 24th year, Christmas for the Elderly serves low-income seniors in Cape Girardeau County. This year because of the economic downturn and inability to raise funds ahead of time, the list of nominees has been reduced from 40 to 20.

Eligibility requirements include living on a fixed or limited income and having health conditions, said John McGowan, who has coordinated the program for three years.

"Watching their faces light up just from a visit from somebody representing the community is more rewarding than any salary you could pay me to do this job," McGowan said.

The program helps them meet basic needs like clothing and hygiene items.

Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will help needy children in seven counties, including Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Scott. Coordinator Elmer Mansfield has expanded the program to include an appearance by Marines in uniform at 4 a.m. Friday at the Cape Girardeau Wal-Mart and Toys 'R' Us.

For more information, e-mail Mansfield at elmerfudd@hughes.net or call him at 573-380-2187. Visit the website at toysfortots.org to donate online.

Student Santas

Student Santas is a not-for-profit organization in its third year. Founder Jennifer Icaza-Gast gave her Southeast students an incentive for bonus points. They were asked to bring in toys to fulfill children's Christmas wishes, toys that Santa would give. At five points per toy, the limit was 20 bonus points.

"I realized it was about more than getting bonus points when one student brought in 30 toys," Icaza-Gast said.

She doesn't have applications but asks for letters instead. "I cry over every single letter and with them on the phone, too," Icaza-Gast said.

Everybody is eligible to apply for Student Santas by sending a letter to Student Santas, P.O. Box 641, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702.

cpagano@semissourian.com

388-3648

Drop-off locations

Student Santas: Donate toys at Jackson Prompt Care or at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau or the Southeast Missouri State University Grauel Building, lower level. Letter deadline is the first week of December.

Toys for Tots: Donate toys at three Dollar General locations in Cape Girardeau, Toys 'R' Us, Schnucks; two Dollar General locations in Jackson, Jackson American Legion, Jackson Curves; Slushers Farm and Home Center, Orscheln Farm and Home Center, Dollar General, Charter Communications in Sikeston, Mo.; Country Mart, Crown Chevy, Marble Hill Builders, Masonic Lodge, Pizza Pro, Twin City Pharmacy, Woodland Steak House, Hillbillies, Dollar General, Bollinger County Chiropractic, Bollinger County Courthouse, Bollinger County Vet Services in Marble Hill, Mo.; Leopold Country Store, Leopold Knights of Columbus hall in Leopold, Mo.

Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly: AAA Travel, Alliance Bank, Bank of America, Bank of Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Christian School for the Young Years, Commerce Bank, Elements Salon, Elite Travel, First Missouri State Bank, First State Community Bank, Fitness Plus, Hastings, Healthpoint, Kelly Services, KFVS12 tower, Montgomery Bank, Osage Community Centre, Paula Huggins Accounting, Realty Executives, Regions Bank, Sears, Southeast Missourian, US Bank, Wal-Mart, Wehrenberg Theaters, West Park Mall.