Christmas cheer

Speaking of helping those who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances during this holiday season:

There is a tried and true way to help that brings hope to the helpless and cheer to those who face a bleak Christmas.

For years, Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly have been joining the giving spirit of community residents with the needs of children and senior citizens. Both efforts are once again asking you to lend your support.

Toybox seeks to provide gifts for children -- more than a thousand of them -- and Christmas for the Elderly reaches out to senior citizens.

These efforts rely on a great deal of volunteer help from sponsoring organizations, including the Cape Girardeau Jaycees, the Missouri Division of Senior Services, Hoover Eldercare, Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department and the Southeast Missourian.

For the next few weeks, you will be reading about some of the specific needs this year. We hope you will find it in your hearts to respond to those needs with donations of gifts and money.

Gifts may be dropped off at Southeast Missourian offices or mailed to P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702.

For all that you do to make Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly successful, thank you.