Family with five children relying on Toybox

The Christmas gift-buying season is shorter than usual this year, and a mother with five children to buy gifts for this holiday has asked Toybox for help with the presents her family wants.

Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides gifts to children up to age 12.

This family is struggling to provide all the necessities for their household, let alone find any extra money for Christmas gifts.

They will rely on donations from the community so they can have presents under their tree.

The children are two girls, 3 and 6, and three boys, ages 7, 8 and 9.

The girls would like Barbies and dress-up clothes, some dolls and a tea set. Both would like bows and ribbons for their hair.

The boys want Spider-Man toys and figures. The older boy wants a football. The 8-year-old has asked for a skateboard. The 7-year-old likes dolphins.

Items that can be used include board games, blocks, basketballs, soccer balls and sporting equipment, hand-held electronic games, dolls and Barbies and toys for infants and toddlers. Educational toys also are appreciated.

Donations of new, unused toys are being collected at Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, First Missouri State Bank, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, U.S. Bank and Wehrenberg Theatres.

Applications for the Toybox program are being accepted through Dec. 6 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 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.