SANTAS TO DISTRIBUTE TOYBOX TOYS DEC. 19

On Dec. 19, members of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees will put on their Santa suits and be off to make Christmas merry for needy children.

The Santas will carry big bags full of goodies, and elves will be on hand to help hand out gifts. Each Santa will have made his list and checked it twice beforehand, so he will know the name of each child and that child's special gift.

Children suffering from separation, divorce, illness or plain old, bargain variety lack of money will smile this Christmas when Santa knocks on their door. None of the Santas will have to tell any child his name was left off the list because donations will have increased greatly in the seven days before the Santas deliver.

Shoppers will have picked up Barbies and Power Rangers of all colors, Mr. Potato Heads, Tickle Me Elmos, Tonka trucks and Soft Tonka trucks, Cabbage Patch dolls, building blocks, rattles, games, puzzles, books and all of the other toys the children wanted from the many drop-off locations in Cape Girardeau.

People concerned with helping others but who didn't have the time to shop will have donated money so others could go and get these children those special toys they want this Christmas.

And it will be the best Christmas ever.

Toybox is in its 22nd year and is co-sponsored by the Cape Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. The program works to provide Christmas presents to more than 1,200 children each year.

All donations will be used to buy gifts for children through the age of 12 who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts.

New, unwrapped toys and gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office or area locations. Drop-off points are located at West Park Mall, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Boatmen's Bank, Gulliver's Travel Agency, Mercantile Bank, Union Planters Bank, AAA Travel Agency, The First National Bank, Commerce Bank and Sanders True Value Hardware.

Cash contributions may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.