CHRISTMAS TOUGH ON KIDS OF SINGLE PARENT

So often we hear of families who have been torn apart through the separation or divorce of the parents.

Since Christmas is traditionally considered a holiday of family and friends, it can be a very trying time for single parents, not to mention the children, who are often caught in the middle of such situations.

Laura, a divorcee, has three young children she works hard to support.

Five-year-old Sam has asked Santa to bring him Ninja Turtle toys; Annie, 4, and Brittany, 2, both want baby dolls for Christmas.

Laura told Toybox that the children's father lives out-of-state and does not pay child support, making more than putting food on the table and clothes on her children's backs a nearly impossible task.

Laura would appreciate any help she can get from caring citizens this holiday season.

But it's not only the separation of parents which can be hard on children -- many times they must deal with a separation from one another.

Such is the case with John and Jenny, ages 6 and 4, respectively.

John has just started kindergarten and is not doing so well, his mother Cathy said. Jenny, who watches her brother leave daily for school, "misses him a great deal," her mother says.

John wants trucks and games for Christmas. Cathy has asked Toybox to bring her daughter a baby doll, a play-kitchen or stuffed animals to keep the young girl's attention while her brother is at school.

Toybox, a joint project of the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, works to unite donated gifts from members of the community with the families who need them most during the Christmas holiday.

Applications are being accepted at the Salvation Army Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-noon and from 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 15.

Those filling out applications must bring with them identification, proof of current address and Social Security cards for everyone in the family.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox drop-off spots: West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, AmeriFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association and Mercantile Bank.

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

Gifts will be delivered Dec. 21 by Santa Claus and a team of elves from the Jaycees.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.