SALVATION ARMY GIVES CHRISTMAS BASKETS TO 750

Tandy Thompson took home a turkey and the trimmings for Christmas dinner. She picked out a toy for each of her three children.

Without help from the Salvation Army, she said, buying Christmas gifts or food for a holiday meal would have been impossible.

Often, Thompson has trouble making ends meet on one salary, and extras just aren't in the budget.

"A little extra help really means a lot," she said. "We have to come in every other month or so for a little extra food. It sure is appreciated."

Thompson received one of more than 750 food baskets distributed Friday at the Salvation Army.

The baskets are possible through donations to the Tree of Lights campaign, which continues through today.

On Friday, Salvation Army Capt. Elmer Trapp said the campaign has raised $113,500 toward the goal of $125,000.

He was optimistic money collected Friday and today would put the campaign over the top.

"We have two days to do $12,000," he said. "That can be done; $6,000 is logical to make in a day at Christmas."

If the campaign doesn't reach the goal by Christmas, Trapp said, it will be extended to the end of the year.

Donations can be mailed to Salvation Army Tree of Lights, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0802.

Standing in line on Friday, Ann Lewis said her life has been headed downhill. She is unemployed and can't find a job. But things looked a little brighter as she picked up toys for her two young sons and a food basket. "Now if I would just find a job," she said.

Barbara William came all the way from Sikeston for holiday help. Her house recently burned. "It's hard to get everything back," she said. In addition to the food, William was able to pick toys to give her two grandchildren.

She said, "This is a wonderful thing."

Salvation Army social worker Sonia Xanthopoulos agrees. "It feels good when someone comes in and we can help," she said.

As a child, Xanthopoulos was on the receiving end of holiday charity. Her father, an auto worker in another state, was often unemployed. "It means so much to a child," she said.

In addition to giving food, Xanthopoulos said, the Salvation Army is developing a program to help people find jobs and learn skills to make them self-sufficient.