Child would like stolen toy replaced

Patrick, 12, wants a skateboard or scooter for Christmas to replace one that was stolen. He'd also like a watch or a basketball, but "anything would be nice," his mother said.

Patrick's mother, like many others in Cape Girardeau, are desperately trying to make ends meet this holiday season. Without help from Toybox, a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian, many families wouldn't have holiday gifts.

Applications for the program are being accepted through Wednesday at the Salvation Army office, 701 Good Hope. Applicants must provide a Social Security number for each child listed and proof of residence. Applications are accepted between 10 a.m. and noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A pair of siblings would also like gifts for Christmas, but their parents are separated and struggling to build new households.

The girl, 6, wants a Britney Spears doll or a Diva doll and Barbie accessories. Her brother, 5, would like dinosaurs, WWF wrestling figures and race cars. He also likes Winnie-the-Pooh toys.

Drop-off locations for new, unused toys are Southeast Missourian offices, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Firstar Bank, Check Please, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank at the Cape LaCroix Road location only, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park and SunCom Wireless.

The toys will be stored at a warehouse donated by Sandy Donley of Divine Homes Realty. New toys must be delivered to the drop-off sites before Dec. 20.

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