COUNTDOWN UNDER WAY FOR TOYBOX

The countdown is on for this year's 17th annual Toybox program with just three weeks until the gifts are delivered.

Toybox, a communitywide project to give toys and some Christmas cheer to needy children, is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian newspaper.

Pat Anderson and Kevin Lasher are co-chairmen for this year's campaign.

Anderson said volunteers are ready to begin putting together the Christmas packages on Monday. All they need are toys.

The Jaycees have set up Toybox headquarters at the same location as last year, Gene Rhodes' office building on North Kingshighway.

"We've moved in the tables and chairs and swept the floor," she said. "We're ready to go, but we have no toys."

A team of Jaycee Santas will deliver toys to each child's home on Dec. 19.

"I hope people understand how much we need their help early this year. We have a full week less time to coordinate the whole effort," she said.

Last year, Toybox served about 350 families, representing over 800 children. Community members donated over $14,000 in cash, 10,000 toys and 5,000 items of clothing.

Kim McDowell, who coordinates the program for the Southeast Missourian, said people began asking about Toybox early in November.

"We had calls from organizations and schools wanting to support Toybox," she said. "We also have had calls from families needing help this holiday.

"Toybox now holds a prominent place in the minds of the Cape Girardeau community," she said. "It's gratifying that people think so highly of Toybox to plan and organize ways to help."

McDowell said the economy may play a roll in this year's campaign.

"From the calls early in November, we feel sure some families for the first time ever are in a situation where they need to use Toybox. We hope that this will be a temporary situation, but isn't it nice that Toybox is here to help."

Organizers hope to give each child a hat and gloves. If children need a coat or warm clothing, Toybox tries to fill that need also. But mostly the program is about toys.

Anderson said, "For children, that one special toy is really important at Christmas."

And being able to give that Christmas joy to a child is what makes volunteers return to work each year, she said.

"Last year, after all the hard work it came to that night we delivered those toys. I knew these were really the only toys those children would get," Anderson said.

"It was sad to see how little these people have. But once Santa Claus walks through the door, that's all forgotten."

Anderson said, "Toybox was my main reason for joining the Jaycees. It's work, work, work. But every bit of it is worthwhile."

She said Jaycees don't balk at the hard work. In fact, they enjoy it.

"I think it brings out the kids in all of us," Anderson said. "And, given the right set of circumstances, it could be any one of us in this situation."

Toybox serves children in Cape Girardeau up to age 12.

Applications for Toybox are being accepted at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, through Dec. 6.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys are requested. Also donations of new coats, mittens, hats and warm clothes are needed.

Gifts may be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, West Park Mall, Capital Bank, AmeriFirst Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association, Gulliver's Travel Agency and Perry Travel Center.

Cash gifts may be sent to Toybox, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

For more information, call McDowell at 335-6611.