Children look forward to Toybox Santa visit

Brittany is excited about a visit from Santa Claus because he might bring Scooby-Doo toys or a sleeping bag.

The 7-year-old girl and her siblings are likely to see Santa early when he delivers toys collected through Toybox. Brandon, 6, wants Lincoln logs, a whistle, football, and remote-controlled cars. Amanda, 5, wants Barbies and Hello Kitty toys.

Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides toys and gifts to needy children up to age 12.

Donations haven't been coming in as well as in years past, said Lisa Seabaugh of the Jaycees. No one is sure if it's because of unusually warm weather or a slowing economy, she said.

"We need almost anything for boys and girls," she said.

Cars and trucks, Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars, dolls and doll strollers, Legos, coloring books and crayons, and anything with Scooby-Doo are needed to fill the children's requests. Electronic games and board games also make good gifts.

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 delivered Dec. 20. Donations must be received by that date.

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