LONG TOYBOX LIST CREATES NEED FOR GIFTS

Headquarters for Toybox operations is open for business. Volunteers are ready to work, but they are in need of toys.

The office on North Kingshighway, which needs to be brimming with gifts, is nearly empty.

Just 15 days remain before the toys will be delivered. The list of children who will not receive a single Christmas gift without Toybox's help is growing daily, and not nearly enough toys have been collected to give each child just one gift.

Organizers hope that the gifts will begin arriving soon, in time to be sorted and distributed to the children looking forward with great anticipation to Santa Claus's visit.

As you begin, or finish up, your Christmas shopping, please add the name of a Toybox child to your list.

Toybox is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian newspaper to make Christmas a little happier for needy children.

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

Toybox serves children in Cape Girardeau up to age 12. Applications will be accepted through Friday at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope.

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.