HOLIDAY EFFORTS LAUNCHED

Hundreds of Cape Girardeau residents have asked for help this Christmas holiday through Toybox and the Salvation Army.

Applications for both programs opened Monday at the Salvation Army headquarters, 701 Good Hope.

"I really don't have a number yet, but we've been busy, busy, busy all day," Capt. Elmer Trapp with the army said Monday. "We've had a steady stream of people here all day long. In fact, we've had lines all day long."

Trapp said a standing-room only first day is not uncommon when applications are accepted.

"Many people think this is the only day they have to sign up," Trapp said. "With Toybox, they have two weeks and with us they have another week after that."

Toybox, a project of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, provides new toys and warm clothing for needy children.

The Salvation Army Christmas basket program provides food, cloth~ing and gifts for needy people.

As applications arrive and are processed, donations are also needed.

Toybox organizers are poised and ready to begin, said Kim McDowell, who coordinates the project for the Missourian.

The Southeast Missourian office, 301 Broadway, is already accepting donations.

Beginning Friday, toys may also be given at West Park Mall, Capital Bank, AmeriFirst Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association, Gulliver's Travel Agency and Perry Travel Center.

For more information, call McDowell at 335-6611.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Salvation Army may send it to P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, or bring the gift to the headquarters. For more information, call 335-7000.

Trapp said the Salvation Army has been able to meet the needs presented to it this year "thanks to the awesome support we get from the community. People give to the Salvation Army and so we are able to help others."

Fundraising began over the weekend.

"For the first two days we have collected $7,500," Trapp said. "We need to raise $3,700 a day to reach our goal of $100,000 by Christmas Eve."

The money raised by the army helps fund the Christmas program and activities throughout the year.