MOTHER OF AILING KIDS LACKS RESOURCES TO BUY NEW TOYS

Two Cape Girardeau children, 2 and 3, have endured hardship on more than one occasion this year.

The 2-year-old brother has had surgery twice. His 3-year-old sister has just recovered from pneumonia. Their mother would like to provide a reward for their courage and perseverance and make this Christmas a memorable one.

But she lacks the funds to buy her children the gifts she feels they deserve.

Through the help of Toybox, however, this mother has a chance to watch her children open gifts this Christmas.

Toybox, a joint venture of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian, provides toys to needy children within the city limits. Toys will be delivered Dec. 20 by Jaycee Santas and elves to children 12 years of age and younger.

In another local family, four children will face Christmas without their mother this year. She is in a drug rehabilitation center and will not return home until after the holidays.

The children are staying with a relative, who already has five children to shop for during Christmas. Her budget will not accommodate four more.

These children have included some of the popular toys on their wish list. However, any new toys would be appreciated.

The children are among 1,000 needy kids who will be given gifts they otherwise would never receive.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox collection sites: West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, AmeriFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, Roosevelt Bank and Mercantile Bank.