Needy families hope for brighter holiday

Toybox

The only thing Dominque, 9, wants from Santa is a new watch or an alarm clock. His brother, 3, wants a toy telephone and the baby, 1, needs any sort of educational or learning toy from Santa.

This family is just one of nearly 500 who have requested gifts from the Toybox program, a joint effort of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. Many of the families simply don't have enough money to pay for all the basics and to spend on gifts at the holiday. Toybox delivers gifts to children up to age 12.

Christmas for the Elderly

Mrs. L has arthritis in her back, hip and knees and must use a cane to walk. She lives with an adult daughter who also has health problems. The daughter is diabetic and now is being treated for cancer. Both women have limited incomes.

Mrs. L. needs rails for her bathtub because she's fallen once already. She would like several gifts for Christmas: sheets for a full-size bed, flannel pajamas in size large, two sweaters also in size large, anklet socks and sugar-free candies, cookies and other foods.

The two women also could use new linoleum in their kitchen.

Donations can be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian offices. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.