Toybox needs help filling requests of area families

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Rescue Heroes figures became a popular gift for children. And the same is true today with the police, firefighter and ambulance crew figurines.

Mike, 5, wants some of the Rescue Heroes toys for Christmas this year. He and his family have asked Toybox for help with providing gifts to put under their tree.

Toybox is a joint program of the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Jaycees that provides needy children up to age 12 with presents at Christmas.

Mike also wants Tonka trucks, Bob the Builder toys and a desk.

His sister, Alison, 4, wants Barbies, a toy kitchen set, Blue's Clues activity sets and building blocks.

Other area children have made similar requests, but Toybox doesn't have enough gifts to fill all the requests from the more than 500 families seeking assistance.

Gifts like educational games, activity books, crayons, coloring books and art sets, Barbies, dolls, sports equipment, board games and puzzles and blocks are common requests.

Donations of new, unused toys are being collected at Southeast Missourian offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, AAA Travel Agency, First National Bank, First Missouri State Bank, Bank of America, Sanders True Value, Bank of Missouri, Capaha Bank, Cingular Wireless, Union Planters Bank, Alliance Bank, Toys R Us, Commerce Bank, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, U.S. Bank and Wehrenberg Theatres.

Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to Toybox Trust at P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.