Family of three children needs help this Christmas

Three Cape Girardeau sisters made some specific requests of Santa Claus this year, and their parents are hoping for a Christmas wish to come true.

Rachel, 9, Kristy, 6, and Kelly, 4, each listed about 10 separate items on their wish lists for Santa. But because their family is having financial difficulties, the parents have turned to Toybox for help.

Toybox is a joint program of the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees that provides gifts to needy children. The program, 28 years old, relies on community donations for its gifts.

Rachel would like a Butterfly Barbie, a sand-art kit, cotton-candy maker and Barbie doll furniture. She also would like some hand-held games.

Kristy would like a Rapunzel Barbie doll, a bowling alley game, dolls and a Polly Pocket doll.

Kelly, 4, requested blocks and a Wheels on the Bus game. She also would like any talking dolls and some hand-held or battery-operated games.

Donations of new, unused toys are being collected at Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, First Missouri State Bank, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, U.S. Bank and Wehrenberg Theatres.

Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to Toybox Trust at P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.