ORGANIZERS: TOY DRIVE TAKING OFF

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for underprivileged children, say Toy Box organizers.

The toy drive, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, benefits 1,000 to 1,200 children ages 12 and under annually.

Donations were running a little slow for awhile, but things are looking up, said Kim Reeves, Jaycees co-chair for the toy drive.

"It looks like we're doing a lot better," Reeves said. "I think if we can get some more donations in the next couple of days, then yes, we're going to make it."

Volunteers are busy sorting donated toys and going Christmas shopping with donated funds to purchase gifts for underprivileged children.

Toy Box received 448 applications from families requesting Christmas gifts.

"We have over half of the applications filled and we're planning on working through Wednesday of this week to get everything sorted," Reeves said. "Hopefully we'll be ready Thursday."

Jaycees Santas and elves will suit up Thursday night to deliver toys to children's homes. Deliveries will be made between 6 and 9 p.m.

Items still needed include toys for boys and girls ages 8 to 10, and Power Rangers figures, Reeves said.

"Power Rangers are a big thing, and it seems like the stores are getting low on them," she said. "I guess people shopping for their families are having trouble finding them, too. We have a lot of requests for Power Rangers."

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

Donations may be sent to Toy Box Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0004.