BOY WANTS POPULAR TOYS, BUT REALLY ANY WILL SUFFICE

A 6-year-old boy from Cape Girardeau wants what is hot in the toy world: Power Rangers or a Megazord.

Or maybe just a game would do this Christmas.

Right now his wishes aren't even close to being fulfilled. The boy's parents are divorced. His father doesn't even live in Missouri anymore.

The boy's mother is going to college full time. One day she will get the job that will enable her to buy the toys her son wants. But right now it is al she can do to pay her bills on time.

Through the help of Toybox, however, the boy's wish could come true. This boy is one of more than 1,000 in Cape Girardeau who need help to have the kind of Christmas many take for granted.

There are four more youngsters from another family who aren't as specific about what they want for Christmas. Under the category of toys desired, all four children have indicated in the application they filled out that "anything" will do.

Because of a house fire recently, the parents of the children are unable to provide toys this year. All of the toys the children owned were lost in the fire. The children range in age from 1 to 4.

Toybox applications are being accepted at the Salvation Army Monday through Friday from 10 to noon and 2 to 4 through Dec. 9. Those filling out applications must bring identification, proof of their current address and Social Security cards for everyone in the family.

Gifts will be delivered Dec. 20 by Santa Claus and a team of elves from the Cape Girardeau Jaycees. The Jaycees and Southeast Missourian are combining forces for the 20th year to make Toybox a success.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox drop-off 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.