Christmas wish lists keep on growing

The wish lists for Christmas toys seem to grow as the holiday approaches. Yet many area children won't be receiving an abundance of gifts this season because their families cannot afford them.

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

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 to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Rachel, 9, has made a list for Santa that includes everything from headbands and hair bows to a karaoke machine, coloring books, soccer balls and Britney Spears accessories. Her brothers also have some requests. Dylan, 7, wants a basketball and a radio, a fishing rod and Scooby Doo toys. Greg, 6, wants trucks, cars, a football, educational toys for reading, spelling and math and an Etch-a-Sketch.

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.