Brother, sister want toys, coloring books

Toys and games based on popular cartoon characters, television shows and movies are wildly popular with children. This year is no exception.

Toybox, a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, needs toys with Powerpuff girls, Scooby Doo, Monsters, Inc., Harry Potter, Power Rangers and Barney characters to distribute to children.

The program relies on community donations for support and gives toys to needy children up to age 12 whose families couldn't otherwise afford Christmas gifts.

Applications for the program are being accepted through Wednesday at the Salvation Army office, 701 Good Hope. Applicants must provide a Social Security number for each child listed and proof of residence. Applications are accepted between 10 a.m. and noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

David, 5, wants a Magna Doodle, Radioflyer wagon and toy figures to play with this Christmas. He'd also like some coloring books, crayons and a checkers board game.

His sister, Tonya, 2, wants Barbies and Barney toys. She likes puzzles and crayons and coloring books also.

Drop-off locations for new, unused toys are Southeast Missourian offices, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Firstar Bank, Check Please, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank at the Cape LaCroix Road location only, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park and SunCom Wireless.

The toys will be stored until delivery Dec. 20.

Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.