TOYBOX, CHRISTMAS FOR ELDERLY PROGRAMS TO BEGIN; MORE THAN 1,000 NEEDY CHILDREN IN CAPE HELPED BY CONTRIBUTIONS, VOLUNTEER WORK

More than 1,000 needy children in Cape Girardeau will have a happier Christmas this year thanks to contributions to Toybox and the volunteer efforts of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

Toybox, a project of the Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, begins its 18th annual campaign to provide toys and warm clothing to children.

Kevin Lasher and Mike Seabaugh are co-chairmen of the Jaycees Operation Toybox this year.

Lasher said: "It started with about four Jaycees taking a few food baskets and a few toys. It has grown to 450 families and 1,000 to 1,200 children."

Toybox now involves 50 to 75 Jaycee volunteers. Lasher estimated that more than 4,000 manhours are spent completing the project.

Lasher said, "This is probably our biggest project. It is the one project we lay aside everything else we do for."

The reason is simple: Toybox helps children have a happier holiday.

"The best way to understand Toybox is to imagine yourself as Santa Claus for one day," Lasher said.

"We have stories ranging from touching, heartbreaking stories to really funny ones. One child remarked to the Jaycees Santa Claus, `Oh, you're not wearing Nikes this year.'"

Seabaugh said: "Many people who join Jaycees say they have heard of Operation Toybox. It means a lot to help someone less fortunate.

"We don't look at it as a chore. It's something fun and something we want to do to help the community."

"This is a project we all know is good," Lasher said.

Toys will be delivered Dec. 17 by a team of Jaycees Santas and helpers.

"We have basically two weeks from the time the applications start coming in to delivery," Lasher said. "That's the shortest amount of time we've ever had. Anyone who is thinking of donating we hope will do it early."

Kim McDowell, who coordinates the Southeast Missourian's Toybox efforts, said, "We never realize how many children don't get new clothes or new toys or how many families, after paying rent and utilities and food, have nothing left over.

"Parents love to have something special for their children. But for many the only way to have something special is through Toybox."

McDowell, who also coordinates the newspaper's Christmas for the Elderly project, said these two activities benefit both those individuals who receive Christmas gifts and the community as a whole.

"I think Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly really brings the community together," she said. "I think every year this community just gets better because of what it does. We attract good people and it benefits the children in the process of growing up here. They are made to feel wanted."

McDowell added: "Because delivery is early this year, we will only have four days to process the gifts after the application deadline passes. We strongly encourage people to give their toys early, and don't hesitate to send a check."

The Jaycees have divided the operation into four categories, including a shopping chairman, Benita Curtis. She coordinates massive shopping expeditions using the monetary donations to Toybox to pick out specific clothing needs or toy desires.

Dean Reeves is manpower chairman. He gets on the phone, calling Jaycees to volunteer and rounding up trucks and vans.

Ed Gargas is toy pick-up chairman and coordinates daily stops at each toy drop-off location.

Kathy Easley is treasurer, with the responsibility this year coordinating a new Toybox Trust.

"We keep a little something in balance each year to start the next year," Lasher said.

But Toybox this year is a separate entity from the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, for financial purposes. Toybox has grown so large, Lasher explained, the trust was the most logical way to handle contributions.

Also, all donations are tax deductible through the Toybox Trust.

Work on Toybox goes on throughout the year.

Lasher said: "We started in September looking for a building. Lon Maxey donated use of the old General Sign building on Broadview.

"We started buying a few coats. If you don't start early, you can't find enough coats."

The day-to-day work begins Monday. "It never leaves your mind," Lasher said. "Even the day after Toybox, we think about what we can do next year to make it even better."

Applications for Toybox will be accepted at the Salvation Army headquarters, 701 Good Hope, beginning Monday through Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2-4 p.m.

New and unwrapped gifts for children from birth through age 12 may be delivered starting Monday to any of the following locations: Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, Boatmen's Bank Cape Girardeau locations, Capital Bank Cape Girardeau locations, Commerce Bank, Farm and Home Savings Association, Perry Travel Center, Gulliver's Travel Agency, and West Park Mall has set up a new, giant toy box in the Famous Barr court to receive gifts.

Monetary donations may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 1626, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-1626, or dropped off at the Southeast Missourian.

The Jaycees ask for new, not used, gifts for these needy children. "We want to give them something special," Lasher said. "Something they can call their own. It means a lot to the children to know this is something just for them."