TOYBOX SANTA RECALLS POIGNANT SCENE

Dean Reeves can still recall the poignant scene he witnessed as a Toybox Santa three years ago.

"I was just getting into my ho, ho, hos when I took a look around the apartment," Reeves recalled. "I'll never forget that scene, because it really had an effect on me.

It was only the raw courage and spirit of the family that enabled Reeves to regain his composure after he was temporarily shaken by the specter of poverty.

"The family was huddled around a kerosene heater when we arrived," he said. "I was so moved by what was in front of me, I began to feel like I was on the verge of tears. But then the kids ran to us and began singing songs. They gave us cookies and milk and it was a lot of fun," he said.

"It was obvious that this family was going through one of the most severe winters around here with the power shut off. The windows were broken and they had sheets over them to block as much of the wind as possible," Reeves said.

"After we were done that night, I remember saying something to someone in the Jaycees. Someone contacted Union Electric about getting their heat back on, and it was taken care of."

The show of goodwill by Jaycee Santas and helpers and the family's appreciation is what Toybox is all about, Reeves said. "Kids should be able to celebrate Christmas no matter what their circumstances are," he said.

Reeves will join 18 Jaycee Santas tonight to deliver toys collected the last month. "We'll get together just before delivery and map out a game plan and then do what we all look forward to every year," he said.

Dean and his wife Kerry have been donating their services to the Toybox project for the last five years. This year Kerry is in charge of assigning Santas to various routes and making sure there are no last-minute glitches in the delivery system.

Toys can still be donated to the Toybox project. New, unwrapped toys can be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway.