Area's elderly receive holiday gifts

At Blanchard Elementary School, students knew them as "Grandma" and "Grandpa." Church groups and clubs that donated knew them by a letter of the alphabet when their case profiles were featured in the Southeast Missourian.

Regardless, recipients of the Christmas for the Elderly program were overwhelmed by the community's generosity and grateful for the gifts delivered Tuesday.

Church volunteers made the deliveries for the recipients, many of them homebound or unable to shop for themselves.

So many of the clients served by Christmas for the Elderly are in need of basic essentials and any extra gifts at the holiday are always appreciated.

"It's always heartwarming to be able to help somebody who needs it," said Cynthia Kothe with the state's Division of Health and Senior Services.

One woman she delivered to had requested a new winter coat. When she tried it on, it fit perfectly.

"She said she had been worried about the cold and not having a coat," Kothe said.

Blanchard students donated sweat pants, warm blankets, canned foods and cleaning supplies. Other items that were donated included hand-knitted blankets for each individual, clothing, food items, holiday decorations and household cleaning supplies.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint program of the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

Recipients are referred to the program through the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department and Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services.