TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR TOYBOX DONATIONS

With only two days left before Cape Girardeau Jaycees Santas suit up for delivery, volunteers are more optimistic than ever that they will be able to meet the Christmas wish lists of needy children.

"We're going to keep on working every night until all the bags are filled," said Kerry Reeves, co-chairperson of Toybox. "I'm not sure how many more bags are left, but I believe it's in the neighborhood of 90 bags."

Reeves said she believes donations will continue to come in so most of the requests will be met. However, she said she is very concerned about two families.

"We have had two families request sleeping bags for their children," she said. "I'm hoping we get those, because right now those children are sleeping in a hotel room on the floor."

Reeves said six children's sleeping bags are needed for the two families, all for children under the age of 6. If those come in before Thursday, Toybox will make sure they are placed in the bags for them, Reeves said.

Toys and games for needy children through the age of 12 are still needed. Board games, books, and all types of toys can be purchased and taken to a Toybox drop-off spot through Wednesday.

Toybox, in its 22nd year, is co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. The program provides Christmas presents to over 1,200 children each year.

New, unwrapped toys and gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office or area drop-off points at West Park Mall, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Boatmen's Bank, Gulliver's Travel Agency, Mercantile Bank, Union Planters Bank, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, Commerce Bank and Sanders True Value Hardware.

Gifts will be delivered by a team of Jaycees Santas on Thursday.

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