Mom will be happy if son is happy

Kathy is a single mom who works part time at a local grocery store. Her low income and lack of help from the child's father caused her to leave her home and move in with her mother.

"It's hard. I want Mark to have a good Christmas. If he's happy that will make me happy," Kathy said.

Nine-year-old Mark has not yet made friends, and it would make a really great Christmas if he could receive a few of the things boys love, especially since right now he has to amuse himself.

"My kid likes everything. He's easy to please," Kathy said. Since he likes to play sports, a basketball or football would make excellent gifts, but Mark is also crazy about Pokemon and NASCAR, particularly cars No. 12 and 88.

There are a few board games he'd like that his mom and grandmother could sit down and play with him. These will surely be on the shelves: Monopoly, Pokemon Sorry or generic Sorry, Scrabble, UNO, Yahtzee.

Mark also likes cars and big trucks, particularly 18-wheelers.

A bicycle or go cart are also good selections.

Kathy is afraid his Mark's father will not remember him at Christmas and it's hard for her to provide much on her limited income. Please remember Mark at Christmas if you can donate an item or write a check to Toxbox.

For those interested in contributing to the Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly campaigns, new toys and gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office or area locations. Cash contributions are also welcome. All contributions are tax-deductible and may be mailed separately to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004, or Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.