BOY SCOUTS GIVE TOYS TO HELP BOOST TOYBOX

The Boy Scouts last week provided Toybox with a much-needed boost: approximately 30 toys.

Cape Girardeau Jaycees co-chairman Jackie Ahrens said the gesture of goodwill should make her job a lot easier. "Any time you can get something organized and turned in this early, it just makes our job of filling orders that much easier," Ahrens said.

"The Boy Scouts went out and got toys that we need." Among the more frequent requests this year are Easy Bake ovens, children's guitars, sports equipment, Power Rangers, board games and gloves.

"We've been getting an unusually high amount of requests for sports items," Ahrens said. "Basketballs, footballs and soccer balls have appeared on several applications so far. Usually we put those items on our list because kids always seem to enjoy getting something like that."

Toybox is a joint venture of the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

The Jaycees began filling orders on Monday night. "We've got to start that early to be able to have it all done in time for delivery by the 20th," Ahrens said.

If toys are not donated by Dec. 19, chances are Jaycees Santas and elves will not get them to needy children by the delivery date of Dec. 20.

"It just takes time to sort out all of the toys and package them," Ahrens said. "So far the donations have been slow. Hopefully it will pick up this week because this is a critical time for us."

Needy families who live in Cape Girardeau have until Friday, Dec. 9, to apply for Toybox. Applications can be accepted at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Social Security numbers and proof of residence must be provided to complete the application process.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered 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.