TOY BOX DONATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PICK UP

Donations to the 1995 Toy Box toy drive are coming in a little slower than normal.

Kerry Reeves, co-chair of the drive for the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, said she's sure donations will pick up now that it's December.

"I think people are starting to get into the Christmas spirit," she said. "People just don't have their minds on Christmas in November. When people start getting out to the mall to shop, they see our barrel and they remember to make their donation."

Several sites have been set up around Cape Girardeau for people to drop off new, unwrapped toys, including West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Coldwell Banker, Gulliver's Travels, Commerce Bank, Mercantile Bank, First National Bank, Chuck E. Cheese's and the Southeast Missourian.

Games, bicycles, dolls, action figures, puzzles, sports equipment, skates and other toys would all brighten Christmas for a child facing a holiday without presents.

Donations may be sent to Toy Box Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.

Local retailers are also encouraged to make donations or offer discounts on toy purchases to benefit children through Toy Box.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian are sponsoring Toy Box, which served 1,000 to 1,200 children in Cape Girardeau last year.

The toy drive is open to children ages 12 and under who live within the Cape Girardeau city limits.

Parents can fill out applications for their children to receive Toy Box toys at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope in Cape Girardeau. The deadline for applications is Friday, Dec. 8. No late applications will be accepted.

"T-Day" will arrive Dec. 21. when Jaycees Santas and elves will deliver toys to children's homes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Salvation Army is processing Toy Box applications, and is sponsoring independent toy and food drives to benefit families who live outside the city of Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County and surrounding communities.