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Toybox: Delivering joy, one child at a time
I am a school administrator, a wife, and an avid "sports mom" to two wonderful boys. A native of Cape Girardeau, I am currently an Assistant Principal at Cape Central High School. As an educator, I see firsthand the needs of families in our community during the holiday season. I chaired the Toybox project for 16 years for the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, and I am currently in my fifth year chairing Christmas for the Elderly, their sister holiday program for senior citizens in the community. I look forward to the Jaycee Christmas Projects every year and have made it a tradition in my family as a means to give back during the holidays!
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Facing the Holidays Alone; CFE 2018
Posted Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 9:05 PMHoliday parties, cookie exchanges, and shopping excursions with family and friends keeps many individuals busy during the Christmas season. It is often difficult to find the time to do everything that you need or want this time of the year with calendars overflowing with events and invites. However, this is not true for everyone. For many senior citizens in our area, Christmas is a lonely time of the year... -
A Kind and Gentle Soul; CFE 2018
Posted Saturday, December 1, 2018, at 6:16 AMMr. K lives alone with only his dog, “Alf” , as a companion. With a limited income and no family for financial support, “extras” are a luxury that he cannot afford, and many months, making ends meet is a struggle. He is a proud man and asking for assistance isn’t something he takes lightly. He stated, “I know there are others in worse shape then me, anything is appreciated.”... -
Holiday Jaycee Projects 2018
Posted Friday, November 30, 2018, at 7:20 PMDecember is here and with the hustle and bustle of the season, volunteers with the Cape Jaycees are busying preparing for the 2018 Christmas projects, Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly. Once again, we are seeking the support of the Cape Girardeau and surrounding area to bring joy to our youngest and oldest members of the community... -
The Children First
Posted Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at 8:05 PMAsking for help is not always easy. For many families in the Cape Girardeau Community this stands true but as Annestates, "Sometimes you have to put your pride aside, put your own personal feelings second and think of your children first."... -
From Santa's Workshop to Homes
Posted Thursday, December 1, 2016, at 6:40 PMRecently, I had a community member stop me and ask what happens to their donations for the Jaycee Christmas Projects from the time they drop them off until they reach the hands of families or seniors in the area. What does the journey look like for the gifts that our community shares with others through Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly? Donations are collected by members of the Jaycees and taken to "Santa's Workshop" where they are tagged as gifts and sorted by gender and age. ... -
Preparing For the Season
Posted Sunday, November 27, 2016, at 9:01 AMThanksgiving has come and gone, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are past and now it is time for the Christmas Season! With the Holidays just around the corner, the Cape Jaycees are gearing up in preparation for the Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly projects... -
Christmas Traditions: Jaycee Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly
Posted Monday, November 14, 2016, at 3:38 PMAnother Christmas season just around the corner. Shopping for loved ones, baking cookies, singing carols, and wrapping gifts are just a few of the many traditions that families have in celebration of the holiday. Throughout the community, traditions are shared among families and friends: the Parade of Lights, Downtown Christmas Open House, home tours and Black Friday Shopping are filling up calendars for the month of December. ... -
That's a Wrap!
Posted Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at 3:50 PMWith unseasonably warm weather in the air, it doesn't feel much like December but for the Cape Jaycees, the Christmas spirit is alive and well! The generosity and kindness of the community, once again, proved to be remarkable and the Christmas for the Elderly and Toybox projects for 2015 were a tremendous success. ... -
The Hustle and Bustle
Posted Friday, December 11, 2015, at 9:02 AMJaycee members have been busy the past couple of weeks. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly projects are at the top of their list with delivery dates quickly approaching! There is still so much to do -- Santa's "bags" to be filled, "sleighs" to be loaded and Christmas joy to be spread throughout our community. ... -
The Spirit of Giving
Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 9:35 AMThe stores around town are bustling with people getting ready for the Christmas holiday. Storefronts are sprinkled with snow and sparkling lights; strangers share a friendly smile as they push through the aisles filling their carts with gifts for loved ones. ... -
"Making a List...Checking It Twice"
Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 3:21 PMI think we would all agree that the Holiday season seems to come earlier and earlier every year. For the Cape Jaycees, it never ends. We have been in the planning stages of our Christmas projects, Christmas for the Elderly and Toybox, since the calendar turned to 2016. With all this planning, excitement is building as we near the time when our efforts are shared with others, we are "making a list and checking it twice"!... -
Forty Years Strong
Posted Friday, December 19, 2014, at 10:37 AMForty years...and counting! What an awesome statement the success of the Jaycee Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly projects makes for our community. The generosity of individuals and businesses is nothing short of amazing! In a time when need is great for some and blessings in abundance for others - it is wonderful to see efforts made during the holiday season to find balance for the less fortunate... -
Toys for Struggling Families
Posted Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at 12:56 PMWhile many of us look forward to the joy of Christmas every year, celebrating with family and friends and giving and receiving gifts, for some the Christmas season brings with it worry and stress. How do you pay for gifts for your children when Dad has lost his job, medical expenses have piled up, or there is no work to be found to support the cost of living for your family?... -
The Hustle and Bustle Has Begun...
Posted Sunday, December 7, 2014, at 7:42 AMWe are less than two weeks out from delivery for the Jaycee Christmas for the Elderly and Toybox projects and there is still SOO much to do. Jaycee members can be seen out with carts full of toys and elderly needs as they work their way through the crowds this holiday season. With only 1/3 of our Toybox applications currently filled, "Santa's workshop" is running low on toy donations and the budget is dwindling quickly!... -
Holiday Giving Means Christmas Joy for All
Posted Thursday, November 20, 2014, at 1:48 PM"Dear Santa, thank you sooooooo much for the toys. I love you and I know I will love my gifts. Merry Christmas, Santa!" Taped to a paper plate of cookies, these are the words of a 7 year old girl who was gifted by donations from the Toybox Project... -
Just Another Day at Santa's Workshop
Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at 1:48 PMLong before the Christmas season begins, the Cape Jaycees begin planning for their annual Christmas Projects: Christmas for the Elderly and Toybox. From fundraising efforts in the summer months to early clearance shopping, months of preparation go into the implementation of the Jaycee Holiday Programs. Here is a look behind the scenes at "Santa's Workshop"..... -
Last Minute Needs for Toybox
Posted Monday, December 16, 2013, at 4:42 PM1As we enter delivery week, the Jaycee Toybox Project needs your help! In our efforts to fill "Santa Wish lists" for the children of Cape Girardeau, we are in need of toys for our older age group, 10-12, for both boys and girls. "Clare" is raising twins, a boy and a girl age 11, on the earnings from waitressing two jobs. ... -
Community Committment
Posted Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 10:28 PMEvery year I am overwhelmed by the Community's commitment to helping others during the holiday season. For 39 years, individuals and businesses have reached out to those in need through the Jaycee Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly programs. Through gift donations, monetary support, and hours of volunteer work, we are able to give to over 1500 children and 30+ senior citizens in need every year. ... -
Animals Warm the Heart
Posted Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 4:30 PMRather you prefer a frisky feline or a mischievous puppy, most would agree that animals bring joy to a home. Coming home at the end of a hard day to someone who loves you unconditionally or snuggling on a cold, snowy afternoon - animals warm the heart! For some this is a living, breathing pet and others - the "stuffed" variety does the job!... -
Countdown to Delivery
Posted Monday, December 9, 2013, at 7:31 PMThe Jaycees are working hard at the peak of their annual Christmas projects, Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly. With over 350 families in need of toys for the holiday and over 35 elderly seeking assistance, Santa's "elves" are busy at work! With just shy of two weeks left in the Toybox Drive and the Christmas for the Elderly project heading closer to delivery date, we are looking to the community to help us wrap up another successful year...
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