FAMILIES TURN TO TOYBOX FOR CHEER

This year has been a tough one for many area families. The high winds and heavy rains of the storms in early April took their toll on some Cape Girardeau homes. But the storms were only a herald for the what was to come.

The April shower didn't bring May flowers this year. The rains fell incessantly on the Midwest, causing many of its rivers to leave its banks, forcing several area families from their homes.

Donna and Frank and their two sons were one such family. They were forced from their home early in the summer, and still have not been able to make the repairs necessary to return.

"We don't have much we can spend on the children this year," Donna wrote on her application. "The flooding really hurt us a lot."

Her son Robert has asked for a toy tractor for Christmas; Jacob wants a fire truck.

"It would be really nice to be able to see our children's eyes light up this Christmas," Donna told Toybox.

Sarah has a history of mental illness. That, coupled with her divorce this year, has left she and her three children with virtually nothing this Christmas season.

"We don't even have a home of our own," Sarah writes. "We lost our home this summer and had to move to Cape Girardeau, where we now live with my parents."

Sarah's daughters, Sandy and Shelly, would both like to have Barbie dolls and accessories for Christmas; her 15-month-old son will take anything appropriate for his age group.

"It's been a rough year," Sarah said.

Toybox, a joint effort between the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, strives to match donations from caring citizens within the community with families like Donna's and Sarah's who have hit hard times.

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.