COUNTDOWN NEARING END FOR TOYBOX

While we have been counting down the days to the Toybox delivery on Tuesday, the pace of the campaign is picking up.

In fact, these last three days reach a hectic pace as volunteers work to make sure each needy child whose parents have asked for help will receive a special Christmas gift.

Youngsters will be watching at windows and peeking through doors on Tuesday evening, waiting for a visit from Santa with toys for them.

These are children whose homes were flooded, whose parents are unemployed. They face poverty, hunger and despair right here in Cape Girardeau. They are young victims who can do little to change their circumstances. But on Tuesday night, for a few hours at least, their worries can be set aside.

Toybox aims to bring Christmas joy to these children and the knowledge that someone cares.

Toybox is made possible through the generosity of community members, churches, schools and clubs who take a few moments to think of a child and then buy a toy.

Toy donations are still needed to make sure that each of these children receives a gift.

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.

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