IT'S NOT TOO LATE: TOYBOX NEEDS GIFTS NO LATER THAN MONDAY

Time is running out for needy children this Christmas. Donations will only allow volunteers to fill about half of the Toybox applications this year.

Go buy something for a child NOW. Buy whatever you like, because whatever you buy will make a child happy this Christmas.

If you like dolls, buy Barbie and her accessories, Cabbage Patch kids, Baby Alive or Baby Go Bye Bye. Or if you like action figures, why not pick up Power Rangers, GI Joe, or the Talking Michael Jordan?

Did you say you like girl toys? Well, plenty of little girls asked for a Fashion Vanity, a dollhouse, or those talking diaries. But if you prefer little boys, don't despair: You can always buy Hot Wheels or Tonka products, blocks or construction sets, or a Super Cliff Hanger race car set.

And, oh, what about theme toys? You can choose from Walt Disney, Sesame Street, Looney Tunes, and Winnie the Pooh products that light up, jiggle, giggle and bounce to make those younger children smile all over. We won't even discuss Barney or Bananas in Pajamas.

For people who want to please a variety of ages, pick up a good book or a game while you are out shopping. Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Memory are great learning games for younger children, and older children like puzzles, board games, and hand-held video games.

As for books, there are touchable (and mouthable) books for younger children, and older children are into the Goosebumps series. Or you can go traditional and give a child a learning adventure with a mythology book or Aesop's Fables.

You have plenty of options, now go buy the gifts.

Donations will be accepted through Thursday, the day toys will be delivered to children by Cape Girardeau Jaycees Santas. Donations are needed by Monday, however, to allow time for wrapping and distribution.

Toybox, in its 22nd year, is co-sponsored by the Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. The program provides Christmas presents to over 1,200 children each year.

All donations will be used to buy gifts for children through the age of 12 who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts. Donations are down this year, while applications are the same or higher than previous years.

New, unwrapped toys and gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office or area locations. Drop off points are located at West Park Mall, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Boatmen's Bank, Gulliver's Travel Agency, Mercantile Bank, Union Planters Bank, AAA Travel Agency, The First National Bank, Commerce Bank and Sanders True Value Hardware.

Gifts will be delivered by a team of Jaycee Santas on Dec. 19.

Cash contributions may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.