Family with five kids needs Toybox help

Five children ranging in age from 1 to 12 make for a house filled with activity. But this particular family won't have many toys for the children under the Christmas tree because of dire financial straits.

The children are three girls and two boys, and each has different tastes and requests for Santa.

An economy in recession could be the cause of more people seeking assistance from Toybox, say Cape Girardeau Jaycees, who sponsor the program with the Southeast Missourian.

More than 500 families, many with at least three children, asked for Toybox assistance this year. Some cited illnesses or lost jobs, while others are grandparents forced to care for young children.

Toybox provides gifts to needy children from infant to age 12. Santas will deliver the gifts between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday.

Jasmine, 12, wants a set of fingernail polishes and some perfume. She'd also like a porcelain doll and Barbie dolls or art activities. Her 7-year-old sister wants Barbies, a Britney Spears doll, toy dishes and a doll house. The 4-year-old, Tara, wants a doll that drinks and cries, a telephone and a doll stroller.

The boys are 5 and 1. Christian, 5, wants wrestling action figures, remote-controlled cars, a fire truck, dinosaurs and Bob the Builder toys. He also likes Blues Clues toys.

The infant likes musical toys and anything he can push or pull across the floor.

Toys must be dropped off by Dec. 20 so they can be delivered.

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