2010 Toybox project

It seems my initial letter of appreciation has been lost in cyberspace, but I can't allow another successful Toybox year to go unnoticed.

The 2010 Toybox project was a challenge on many levels. From continued poor economic times to increased numbers, it seemed our checkbook was stretched to the limit. Yet once more, the community came through, and we were able to provide toys for more than 1,200 children in Cape Girardeau.

We thank the many citizens who donated monetarily or through gifts of toys for children or supplies for our elderly. Thank you to the River City Rodders for their continued support of the program through donations of bikes; Dominoes Pizza, Schnucks, Bluff City Beer and River Eagle for their generosity in making delivery night a success; and the Salvation Army and the Southeast Missourian for helping spread our message to the public. The program would not be successful without individuals like Howard Kinder, who year after year establishes our delivery routes; Gary Rust, who donated the use of a warehouse for our headquarters; and Jeff Maurer, who generously donates the use of storage. Cape Auto Pool is willing and ready every year to supply us with "sleighs" for our Santas, and Notre Dame worked diligently to fill them with toys. And many businesses around town act as collection locations for Toybox -- the largest toy drive in the area.

We thank each and every one of you. The Cape Jaycees could not do it without your support.

TRACY HAGGERTY, Cape Girardeau