APPLICATIONS FOR TOYBOX BEING TAKEN TODAY

As merchants and shoppers prepare for the busy Christmas season, to many in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area the holiday is just another day on the calendar.

But thanks to the efforts of a number of local organizations, Christmas can be a happy time for less-fortunate children and the elderly who otherwise might not know the joy of the season.

The Southeast Missourian and the organizations are beginning to gear up for two long-standing benevolent programs -- Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly -- that make Christmas merrier.

Today, the Salvation Army will begin taking applications for the Christmas Toybox toy drive at the center at 701 Good Hope. Applications will be taken from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5.

For 23 years, the Southeast Missourian has co-sponsored Toybox with the Cape Girardeau Jaycees so that needy children don't miss out on receiving gifts at Christmas just because their parents are out of work or otherwise don't have the money to spend on presents.

"The community generously gives new toys and contributions for children whose parents can't because of financial hardships," said Kim McDowell, Toybox coordinator for the Southeast Missourian. "We want to give children a joyful Christmas and let them feel the happiness of the holiday," she said.

On Dec. 18, Jaycee members will don Santa suits and begin delivering toys to children in Cape Girardeau. The Salvation Army plans to reach out to children in outlying areas such as East Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

To apply for the Toybox program, go to the Salvation Army between 10 a.m. and noon and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Take a photo ID, proof of residence such as a rental agreement or utility bill, and a Social Security card for each toy recipient. Salvation Army personnel will also need birthdates and genders of each child.

People may also apply for Christmas food baskets through the Salvation Army by completing the same process. Christmas baskets will be distributed by the Salvation Army to qualified recipients on Dec. 23. The baskets will include turkey, instant mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, canned goods and a store voucher good for dairy products and bread.

Last year more than 1,000 baskets were given to people in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area.

This year the Salvation Army has sent letters to area churches asking each congregation to give an extra 100 canned goods for the baskets. Then, each basket will contain five extra cans of food.

Capt. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army said the organization wants to make sure children have a good Christmas and good Christmas meal.

He said that of the 1,000 Christmas baskets given last year, 200 went to senior citizens who were on very limited incomes. For many the turkey was a week's worth of food, he said.

Christmas for the Elderly reaches out to help senior citizens. Co-sponsored by the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Public Health Center, the program, now in its 13th year, provides some of the needs and wants of area seniors.

Unlike Toybox, Christmas for the Elderly doesn't take applications. Rather, the program networks with several agencies throughout the area to identify elderly people who have needs that might not otherwise be met. For some, it is something simple, like toiletries, new socks or firewood; for others, it may be materials to build a ramp to make a house handicap accessible.

Contributions to the Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly may be made at the Southeast Missourian. Additional locations for contributions will be designed soon.