Money tight for family with three boys

A family of five who recently moved to Cape Girardeau from a northern state won't have much for Christmas this year without the help of Toybox and the community.

Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that helps provide Christmas gifts to needy families and children from infants to 12 years old.

The three boys in this family are ages 10, 8 and 2. Their parents are still struggling to find good-paying jobs and support the family. Money is tight as Christmas approaches.

The children could use all sorts of toys or games, particularly those they can play together or something for the outdoors. Basketballs, footballs or soccer balls would make good gifts. The two older boys like bicycles and toy cars or trucks.

Donations of new, unused toys are being collected at 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, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank at the Cape LaCroix Road location only, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park and SunCom Wireless.

Applications for the Toybox program are being accepted through Dec. 5 at the Salvation Army office, 701 Good Hope. Applicants must provide a Social Security number for each child listed and proof of residence. Applications are accepted between 10 a.m. and noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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