TOYBOX BEGINS 25TH YEAR

Amazing Ally, Pokemon figurines and Teletubbies top area children's Christmas wish lists this year. But which toys are the most popular or hardest to find is still an uncertainty."I'm not even sure what the big toys are for the year," said Mike Seabaugh, who should have a better idea in a few weeks after reading Toybox wish lists. Seabaugh is a co-chairman for the Toybox committee for the Cape Girardeau Jaycees. "There are toys on the lists that I've not even seen before and the kids know they're out there."Every year, Toybox collects thousands of donated toys from community members and civic groups. The toys are then distributed to needy children and families in the city.

Toybox is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian newspaper that marks its 25th anniversary this year. It serves children ages 2 to 12."Toybox was something that was started and has always been the hallmark of the Jaycees," said Seabaugh. "If people don't know the Jaycees, they know us for the toys and our community service."It takes the entire community working together to pull off a project like Toybox. Merchants donate dropoff sites for toys, stores offer discounts when Jaycees go shopping and plenty of volunteers come out to help with deliveries."Kids are the experts and they educate us," said Linda Job, Jaycee co-chairman. "Toys have changed a lot." Most children request toys that make noise or are computerized somehow, so batteries are always needed."There are always popular toys, but we still get requests for Power Rangers and Barbies and dolls," she said. Coloring books, blocks and even educational toys for young children are great gift items.

More than 1,400 children received toys through Toybox last year. Applications for Toybox and food baskets will be accepted through Dec. 3 at the Salvation Army. To apply, you must bring a photo ID, proof of residence like a utility bill stub and Social Security cards for each applicant. The toys will be delivered Dec. 21.

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 and Commerce Bank.

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