TOYBOX HELPERS BRAVE SLEET TO DELIVER

Deonte Jenkins, 4, knew Santa Claus would be delivering toys and other presents Monday night, but he didn't expect him to come without a sleigh and eight reindeer.

Deonte greeted Santa with a hug and smile, gladly welcoming him inside a warm home while sleet fell outside making roads and sidewalks slick.

Once Deonte had received his gifts, the first question he asked Santa was, "Where are your reindeer?"

Then he looked out the window to see if they were waiting.

Keith Raper, who portrayed Santa, explained that the weather was too cold and nasty to bring the reindeer out Monday. They would come back by on Christmas Day.

More than 375 families received presents Monday night through Toybox, a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides gifts to needy families.

Nearly 55 people -- many first-time volunteers -- helped deliver the toys and gifts. Eighteen Santas spread holiday cheer throughout the city.

Most of the children knew Santa would be coming to visit and bringing some gifts. But it was a complete surprise for Demetrius Willis, 9.

"I didn't think he'd come until Christmas," he said as Santa unloaded a sack of toys and games.

Demetrius had asked Santa for a Batmobile car, which he promptly pulled from his sack of toys. Another favorite was the baseball bat and ball.

"That's what I really wanted," Demetrius said as he held the bat in his hand. "I like to watch baseball on TV."

Although Santa typically spreads good cheer, he is sometimes a little frightening to young children.

Six-month-old Marquel Jackson didn't mind a visit with Santa. He even smiled while Santa played with the toys. But Marquel's older brother, Kitaylon, 3, hid from the man in the big red suit.

Kitaylon didn't really want to come near Santa, though he did accept a gift and wished him a Merry Christmas. He also waved goodbye as Santa and his elves left.

There were plenty of gifts for the children this year because of donations to Toybox that came late last year. Those donations helped the Jaycees buy toys earlier in the year, before the rush for holiday gifts began.

"That's why, even if you procrastinate, it's important to get the gifts in," said Darrell Koller, Toybox chairman for the Jaycees.

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

They will help make even more children happy next Christmas.