MOST TOYBOX RECIPIENTS' REQUESTS ARE SIMPLE

The first 100 applications are in for the 1995 Toybox toy drive, and the requests are simple.

Many of the applicants say any gift will make their children happy. "God bless you," a mother of four wrote on her application.

The mother of a 9-year-old girl says the child would like anything, including games, and adds her daughter "likes to dance and sing and listen to tapes."

Toys will be delivered to children between 6 and 9 p.m. on Dec. 21 by Cape Girardeau Jaycees Santas and elves. The Cape Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian are sponsoring Toybox.

Several parents requested Batman and Robin action figures, and Power Rangers figures and toys are popular again this year, as are Pocahontas and the Little Mermaid.

Barbie and her friends, and all of Barbie's stuff, are big requests.

Also requested are cassette players, headsets and tapes, and video game cartridges and clock radios.

Baby dolls that walk, talk, crawl or eat are requested. Several parents requested their children receive black dolls, and many little girls would love to receive baby carriages or strollers for their dolls. Doll houses and toy dish sets were also requested.

The mother of a 4-year-old boy requested a dumptruck or a Batmobile for her son. Toy train sets, trucks and cars are requested by many parents, as are building tool toys and kits.

Walkie-talkies also are popular requests, as were Scrunch-N-Wear sets, jewelry makers and Cathy's Cut 'N' Curl Salon.

Wheels are always a popular Christmas present. Several parents said their children would love to get bicycles or inline skates for Christmas.

Parents of younger children are asking for educational toys, including blocks and books. Parents of older children are asking for books in the "Goosebumps" series for their children.

The mother of an 8-year-old boy said her son would appreciate art supplies, including items for painting and drawing.

Coloring books, crayons, Toss Across games, volleyball and basketball equipment and other toys are requested, as are hand-held electronic games or remote control cars and trucks.

Stuffed animals are requested for many children, and the mother of an 18-month-old boy asked for "things that make noise" for her son.

New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Coldwell Banker, Gulliver's Travel, Commerce Bank, Mercantile Bank, First National Bank, Chuck E. Cheese's West Park Mall or the Southeast Missourian.

Donations and gifts may be mailed to the Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.

Applications are being accepted until Dec. 8 for the Toybox toy drive. Applications may be filled out at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, and must include children's Social Security numbers.