ART STUDENTS, FACULTY GIVE SUPPLIES TO CHILD

Robert Friedrich was touched by a Toybox story that depicted the plight of a needy 10-year-old child who wanted art supplies for Christmas. So he decided to do something about it.

"I just noticed the word artist in the headline and started reading about how this kid had an interest in art and wanted some supplies," Friedrich, an art student at Southeast Missouri State University, said. "So I taped the story to the bulletin board in the art department office the next morning."

Apparently Friedrich wasn't the only one who wanted to help.

"By the end of the day there were students and faculty members wanting to donate all kinds of things," Friedrich said. "This kid is going to end up with a better collection of art supplies than I have."

Among the items donated to the child for Toybox: A watercolor techniques book, book construction paper, a ruler, two painting brushes, 36-color pen set, crayola washable markers, five acrylic tubes of paint, a magnifying glass, charcoal pencils and two small colored markers.

Friedrich believes he has already been rewarded for his good deed.

"I took my final exam and got a B," he said. "I guess that's what I get for helping a kid in need out."

There are still many other underprivileged children who need toys for Christmas. Cape Girardeau Jaycees co-chairman Jackie Ahrens said this weekend is the most critical as far as donations are concerned.

Anyone interested in donating to the Toybox project should bring new, unwrapped toys to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox collection sites: West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, AmeriFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, Roosevelt Bank and Mercantile Bank.

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