Volunteers bring Christmas cheer to Toybox families

Several volunteers, some dressed in Santa Claus suits, scurried to deliver up to 10,000 gifts to 419 families Monday night, the delivery night for the Jaycees and Southeast Missourian Toybox program.

Event organizer Tracy Haggerty said Toybox delivered gifts to 36 more applicants this year than last. Toy donations were similar to previous years, she said, but monetary donations were down about $6,500. She said the program could sustain the hit this year but that she hoped the decline isn't the start of a trend. She said the Jaycees raise funds all year for Toybox, which serves every applicant.

She said Notre Dame Regional High School is one of the biggest contributors. River City Rodders donated 22 bicycles this year, which makes more than 150 total in the last five or six years, she said.

The program couldn't be done without the work of volunteers, which includes Haggerty, who has been involved for the last five years. She said that because she is a teacher, "I see the need firsthand."

Other volunteers include those who dress up in Santa suits. Some volunteers come from the Jaycees, others simply because they want to be involved.

Santa and his helpers load the back of a van with toys to be delivered around Cape Girardeau on Monday as part of the Toybox program sponsored by the Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. (LAURA SIMON)

Chris Henson said he volunteered after hearing some friends talk about the program.

"I told them I could play Santa, do whatever I needed to do," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting out there with the kids and making a fun Christmas for them. That's my goal, anyway."

The Toybox program serves children within the city limits of Cape Girardeau. The Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps League and River Radio, serves children in Cape Girardeau County excluding the city limits. The two programs do not duplicate.

Donations for the Christmas for the Elderly program, which provides cleaning supplies, toiletries and other necessity items for seniors, was up slightly from last year, organizer John McGowan said.

McGowan said 29 individuals benefited from the program. Items were packed in large, plastic storage bins. About 20 people were on hand Monday afternoon putting the bins in the vans and hauling them off to needy seniors who were recommended by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

McGowan said Broadway Pharmacy and John's Pharmacy made large donations in the form of gift cards. Each of the packages contained gift cards. He also said Cape Girardeau County Transit and BART contributed to the program.

The Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly programs are sponsored by the Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian.

bmiller@semissourian.com

388-3625