Christmas giving

Among the efforts to bring cheer to our less fortunate friends and neighbors are the annual Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly programs. It is time, once again, to ask for your generous donations to make these programs successful.

Toybox, in its 34th year, provides gifts to needy children in Cape Girardeau. The program is sponsored by the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees. Donations of toys and money are used to provide toys to children up to 12 years old. Every effort is made to match gifts to each child's request. Applications are screened by the Salvation Army.

This year, Toybox gifts will be delivered by Jaycee Santas on Dec. 21. Donated gifts may be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway. Contribution may be mailed to Toybox Trust, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.

This is the 24th year for Christmas for the Elderly, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau Jaycees, Missouri Division of Senior Services and the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department. This year, Christmas for the Elderly will be wrapped up by Dec. 14. Donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.

All contributions to these effort to spread the goodness of Christmas are tax-deductible.

Please help in any way that you can. Your contributions and efforts will be appreciated by the hundreds of recipients of these special gifts. Thank you.