CHILDREN WOULD ENJOY GIFTS OTHER THAN TOYS

Even children realize the importance of getting useful gifts for the holidays.

Frances wants Santa to bring her a backpack for school. Although she is just 4, she wants to be ready when she goes to school.

She would also like some new clothes for her Barbie doll and some Play Dough accessories. Remote-control cars and some beads and strings to make necklaces would provide hours of entertainment for her.

Her younger sister would like a backpack to carry her toys and belongings. She would also like a Bouncing Tigger doll and stickers.

Eight-year-old William also has a request for a practical Christmas gift. He wants a new bicycle helmet and pads for riding around the neighborhood.

His brothers, Andy, 7, and Steven, 5, would like similar gifts. The boys would also like remote-control cars and other games they could play together.

Toybox provides gifts to Cape Girardeau children who otherwise wouldn't have holiday presents. It is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian.

New, unwrapped toys can be delivered to the Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Mercantile Bank, NationsBank, Sander's True Value, Bank of Missouri, Southwestern Bell Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Mr. K's, the JCPenney Court at West Park Mall and Commerce Bank.

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

Jaycees Santas will deliver the gifts Dec. 21.