POVERTY HURTS MOST WHEN CRHISTMAS ARRIVES

There are a lot of variations to the same reason people turn to Toybox at Christmas -- lack of money for gifts for their children.

Many people can make living at or below the poverty level at least bearable through most of the year, but at Christmas it is difficult for parents to come to grips with the fact that they cannot afford a few simple things for the little people they love most.

That is why Toybox -- a joint project between the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees -- works to bring bags full of gifts and joy into homes where it is needed most.

Laura's 8-year-old daughter Angela has asked her mother (and Santa Claus) for an E-Z Bake Oven set and baby dolls for Christmas.

"I only receive $234 a month, and I have no money left over to buy anything," Laura told Toybox. "Please help us if you can."

Betsy and Don have a 12-year-old son, Tony, who has been diagnosed as a manic-depressive.

"Tony has mood swings for which he takes medication," said Betsy. "Anything to make his Christmas happier would be greatly appreciated."

The application deadline for Toybox is Wednesday; already, almost 400 applications have been submitted. Jaycees organizers say they cannot fill more than 450 toy orders this year.

Applications are being accepted at the Salvation Army Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-noon and from 2-4 p.m. through Wednesday.

Those filling out applications must bring with them identification, proof of current address and Social Security cards for everyone in the family.

New, unwrapped toys may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or to the following Toybox drop-off spots: West Park Mall, Boatmen's Bank, Capital Bank, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, AmeriFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association and Mercantile Bank.

Gifts and contributions may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.

Gifts will be delivered Dec. 21 by Santa Claus and a team of elves from the Jaycees.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.