BASICS WOULD MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR COUPLE

Mr. and Mrs. H are trying desperately to keep on doing what they do best: depend on each other.

She is legally blind and needs him to help her see; he has colon and stomach cancer and needs her help with just about everything else.

They live on love and depend on each other for their needs.

But the couple are very independent; they insist they will not move from their home into a group home or nursing center. Their Christmas wish is for household items to make life easier. An electric can opener and a cordless telephone with large numbers would help.

They also would like Ensure in any flavor, size large Depends, a good lotion, and gift certificates for groceries, laundry, cleaning and paper products.

Mr. H would like extra-large T-shirts, thermal underwear, and cardigans for Christmas. He also would like size 2X sweatsuits.

Mrs. H said her Christmas would be merry if she could get pants, blouses and sweaters to wear when she is outside, and all-weather nightgowns and house dresses for inside. She wears size 18 pants, size 38 blouses, and a size 2X in everything else.

Christmas for the Elderly provides people with special requests that many take for granted, including food, clothing and money for medications. The program, in its 12th year, is co-sponsored by Cape Girardeau County Health Department and the Southeast Missourian.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian or the Cape Girardeau County Health Department through Dec. 13.

Cash contributions, taxi coupons, paper products and grocery store gift certificates are always needed and may help elderly people all year long.

Contributions may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699.