Notre Dame students collect toys for needy

Students in the National Honor Society at Notre Dame Regional High School organized a collection for Toybox on Wednesday that netted at least 500 new toys for the program.

Toybox is a joint effort of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides Christmas gifts to needy children up to age 12.

More than 500 families have asked for help this holiday season. A slow economy means many families are seeking help who have not needed it in the past.

With so many requests to fill, Jaycee members are afraid there won't be enough toys to give to all the children this year. Donations have been low, and more gifts for children of all ages are needed.

That's why the students at Notre Dame wanted to help. Several chose toys based on what they liked as children, and others found what was the "hottest" toy on the shelf.

"I just chose a football because that's what my brothers always liked," said Sarah Gosche.

Walkie talkies, buckets of Play-doh, Blue's Clues dolls, Barbies, blocks and games were some of the gifts stacked under a Christmas tree at the school Wednesday afternoon.

The gifts must be received by Tuesday in order to be sorted and ready for delivery Dec. 19.

Donations of new, unused toys are being collected at Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, First Missouri State Bank, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, U.S. Bank and Wehrenberg Theatres.

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