Karaoke machine, scooter on wish lists

The toy warehouse is getting pretty bare as the children's bags are being filled, awaiting Santa's arrival Thursday.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian are jointly sponsoring Toybox, a drive to collect toys for needy children in the community.

Children like Sarah, 6, whose mother died and is living with a relative, wouldn't have presents without Toybox.

Sarah likes music and wants a karaoke machine for Christmas.

Larry, 10, wants a scooter and a hand-held electronic game or basketball and football for Christmas. His family is separated while his mother is in jail.

Eight-year-old Tonya is living with a relative because her drug-addicted mother abandoned the child. She needs some learning toys, books and games for Christmas.

Many children face similar situations while relatives struggle to keep the family, or what's left of it, intact. Lost jobs, illnesses and crises mean that many families don't have enough money left after paying for essentials to buy Christmas gifts for their children.

Toybox helps by delivering gifts to children up to age 12. Toys for all ages are needed, including puzzles, coloring books and crayons, board games, Barbies and cars make good gifts.

Drop-off locations for new, unused toys are Southeast Missourian offices, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Firstar Bank, Check Please, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Wehrenberg Theatres, Commerce Bank at the Cape LaCroix Road location only, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park and SunCom Wireless.

New toys must be delivered to the drop-off sites before Dec. 20, which is the night of delivery.

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