FIRST DAY OF APPLICATIONS FOR TOYBOX IS BUSY ONE

The first day of applications for the annual Toybox drive and the Salvation Army's Christmas Basket program was as busy as expected, with needy families looking for assistance, said Capt. Elmer Trapp.

The Salvation Army coordinates applications for both programs in an effort to eliminate duplication of services.

"It was real, real busy, which is normal for the first day," he said.

Trapp estimated that 275 people were enrolled for the Army's program. The tally for Toybox had not been completed yet.

"The first day is always the busiest," Trapp said.

Last year about 450 families were served by Toybox, representing 1,000 to 1,200 children. Organizers expect this year's number to be about the same.

Trapp said the Salvation Army computerized its Christmas program applications in 1990. In 1991 a comparison of applicants revealed that many of the families helped in 1990 didn't return for help in 1991, but about the same number of families received help.

Said Trapp: "I think that's interesting. Sometimes people just get in a tough spot at Christmas and need a little extra help. We are not always seeing the same people year after year."

Applications for Toybox will be accepted at the Salvation Army headquarters, 701 Good Hope, through Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2-4 p.m. The Salvation Army will accept applications for its Christmas Basket program, which provides food and gifts for needy families, through Dec. 18.

Monday also marked the first day of toy donations, and a few gifts did arrive. But the Jaycees Santas and elves who will be filling Christmas bags for children need many, many more.

Toybox is a joint project of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian.

Toys will be delivered Dec. 17 by a team of Jaycees Santas and helpers.

New and unwrapped gifts for children from birth through age 12 may be delivered to any of the following locations: Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway; Boatmen's Bank Cape Girardeau locations; Capital Bank Cape Girardeau locations; Commerce Bank; Farm and Home Savings Association; Perry Travel Center; Gulliver's Travel Agency; and West Park Mall.

Donations may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 1626, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-1626, or dropped off at the Southeast Missourian.