HIGH TOY DEMAND LAST YEAR TAXES '95 TOYBOX

Organizers of the 1995 Toybox toy drive say they don't have much of a "cushion" to fall back on for this year's distribution.

"Before, we've always had toys left over or donations left over to start again the next year," said Kerry Reaves of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, co-chair of this year's drive. "This year, we are starting out from nothing. We hardly have anything left over."

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian are co-sponsoring the toy drive.

Higher demand in 1994 meant almost all of the donations were distributed, she said. That means donations will be more important than ever this year.

"We're going to be relying on the stuff coming in this year," Reaves said. "We can't start filling orders until the stuff starts coming in."

Toybox serves 1,000 to 1,200 children in Cape Girardeau every year, getting Christmas toys to children who might otherwise face a bleak holiday.

Reaves said Toybox organizers welcome donations and discounts from local retailers interested in helping out, and every year local schools and organizations kick in to make Christmas merry for needy children.

"T-Day" is Dec. 21, when Jaycees Santas and elves will deliver toys to children's homes.

The Salvation Army is processing applications for Toybox. Parents can fill out applications at the Salvation Army's main office, 701 Good Hope in Cape Girardeau. Applications must be filled out by Dec. 8, and no late applications will be accepted. Parents are urged to come in early to make sure there is time for their applications to be processed.

Applications must include children's Social Security numbers. Children up to age 12 who live within the Cape Girardeau city limits are eligible to receive Toybox toys.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Coldwell Banker, Gulliver's Travels, Commerce Bank, Mercantile Bank, Chuck E. Cheese's, West Park Mall or the Southeast Missourian.

Donations or gifts may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.