Toybox running low on toys, may be unable to provide for all children

Toybox has just about run out of toys, meaning the program could fall short of meeting requests from families who may not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children unless donations start pouring in, organizer Tracy Haggerty said.

Toybox collects toys and gifts in order to give children in the Cape Girardeau community something to open Christmas morning. The contributions help fill a need for families who may be unable to buy gifts. Last year, the program provided for more than 1,200 children.

However, this year's program has been struggling, Haggerty said. "Our warehouse is really empty."

So far, only about a third of the donations Toybox usually receives have come in, she said.

The program, which has existed for 30 years, has also fallen about $11,000 short of what it typically takes in from monetary donations by this time of year. Last year, it had received about $19,000 to $20,000 by mid-December, Haggerty said.

"We dipped into our organizational fund as best we could, but our wallet's not bottomless either," she said.

Toybox will need to brainstorm and host extra fundraising events during the next year to replenish the budget, she said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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