TOYBOX OFFERS CHANCE TO HELP OTHERS

For many people Christmas is a time to count their blessings. Happy children, good health, loving families and friends.

One way to acknowledge our blessing is to help someone else in the community who may not be as fortunate.

Toybox provides an avenue for people to reach out to children who otherwise might find little under the tree Christmas morning.

The annual Toybox campaign, co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian, has completed its first week and toys are scarce.

An estimated 1,000 children will be looking forward to a personal visit from Santa Claus with a toy in hand. And each year, thanks to generous people, Toybox has been able to purchase toys for every child on the list.

Anyone who is planning to buy a toy for a needy child is urged to buy early. Jaycees volunteers are ready to work, but until gifts arrive, not much can be completed.

Applications are being accepted at the Salvation Army Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-noon and from 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 15.

Those filling out applications must bring with them identification, proof of current address and Social Security cards for everyone in the family.

Gifts will be delivered Dec. 21 by Santa Claus and a team of elves from the Jaycees.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox drop-off spots: West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, AmeriFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association and Mercantile Bank.

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

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.