SANTAS GETTING READY FOR TOYBOX DELIVERIES

Santa Claus comes in a van, not a sleigh, to make deliveries for Toybox.

While there aren't eight tiny reindeer landing on the rooftop, there are plenty of helpers around to make sure Santa knocks loud enough at a door or that he doesn't trip over the sacks of toys.

Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that helps bring Christmas gifts to needy families. It has been operating for 25 years in Cape Girardeau and helped 1,400 children last year.

Jaycee Santas will deliver toys Tuesday. Enough donations came in at the end of the week to make up for the slack so that every child has enough gifts for Christmas, Toybox organizers said.

But the gifts are often cast aside in that moment when a child gets a glance at Santa Claus. "The kids are just shocked when Santa arrives," said Linda Job, a Jaycee member who helped organize the Toybox drive this year.

One year Santa had to stop at a gas station for a bathroom break on his route. When children at the gas station saw Santa they were amazed. Santa ran back to the van and handed out a few extra toys he had stowed away, she said.

"We usually take extra toys for any other kids that might be visiting" a house during the delivery, she said.

There are 19 Santas this year, one per Toybox delivery route.

Mike Seabaugh, Toybox coordinator, said he doesn't usually don the red Santa suit.

"There are guys that do enjoy it and are good at it," he said. "Luckily most have done it for several years and they are seasoned veterans."

Toybox is still taking donations for toys. If you'd like to donate a gift, new, unwrapped toys can be delivered to the Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Mercantile Bank, Bank of America, Sander's True Value, Bank of Missouri, Southwestern Bell Wireless, Union Planters Bank, the ShopKo Court at West Park Mall, Alliance Bank, Commerce Bank, Toys R Us and Capaha Bank.

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