KIDS IN NEEDY HOMES FIND NO WRAPPED PRESENTS UNDER TREE

Brightly wrapped Christmas presents under the tree add to the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming holiday.

But some Christmas trees in Cape Girardeau have no presents beneath them and no promise of presents to come. In fact, many of the homes have no Christmas tree or decorations; families with little money cannot afford such a luxury.

The children in these needy homes hear other children at school and church eagerly discussing the big boxes and little boxes already awaiting them at home and talking about the added presents Santa may be bringing.

For needy children, Christmas highlights the poverty in their lives. They have no presents waiting at home, and they wonder if anyone knows how excited they would be to find a new toy waiting for them Christmas morning.

Toybox is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian newspaper each year to make sure the city's neediest children have some joy, a new toy, at Christmas.

This year collections of toys are far behind years past and far below what is needed to give these children just one simple gift for Christmas.

Applications have been received from parents of over 1,000 needy children.

Donations are desperately needed this week in order to get these toys delivered to the children next week.

Delivery by a team of Jaycees Santas is scheduled Dec. 19.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys are requested. Also, donations of new coats, mittens, hats and warm clothes are needed.

Gifts may be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, West Park Mall, Capital Bank, AmeriFirst Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association, Gulliver's Travel Agency and Perry Travel Center.

Cash gifts may be sent to Toybox, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.