POPULAR TOYS RANK AT TOP OF TOYBOX LISTS

They're making their lists and checking them twice, and the toy requests keep coming in.

Gigi pets, Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo and other Sesame Street toys rank at the top of many Toybox wish lists.

But these "hot" toys are in demand and will become harder to find as Christmas draws closer, said the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

More than 1,200 children received gifts last year through the Toybox program, a joint project of the Jaycees and Southeast Missourian.

Each year, Toybox fills requests for children age 1 to 12 who might not otherwise receive gifts. Often, those requests include some of the most popular holiday toys.

Cabbage Patch dolls, Power Rangers, Tickle Me Elmo dolls and Barbie have topped many wish lists in past years, along with remote and battery-controlled cars.

"We have some specific requests for toys and Santa always tries to bring them," said Darrell Koller, Jaycee Toybox co-chairman.

Last year, Tickle Me Elmo was a popular gift and is expected to top many children's lists this year, said Scott McClanahan, Jaycee Toybox chairman.

Some of the most requested toys include:

-- Gigi pets

-- Beanie Babies

-- portable radios and Walkmans

-- games for older children like Checkers, Scrabble or Monopoly

-- Legos

-- Learning toys, especially for small children

-- Tickle Me Elmo and other Sesame Street toys

-- Cabbage Patch dolls

-- Hand held computer games

Because Toybox is an ongoing project, donations are gladly accepted early, McClanahan said. "You don't have to wait until Christmas to donate."

Other items needed include books, sets of Matchbox cars or small block sets and batteries for electronic toys.

Toys can be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office, 301 Broadway, or other locations in the city.