CHRISTMAS FOR ELDERLY HOPES TO ALTER LONELY HOLIDAYS IN STORE FOR WOMAN

Those who meet Mrs. K always use the same kind words to describe her sweet, gentle, kind.

Never one to complain, Mrs. K says she's glad for her home, her few friends and her health.

At age 85, her health is deteriorating. Mrs. K is blind in one eye and the vision in her other eye is poor. She has arthritis and a heart condition.

Never married and no children, Mrs. K spends a lot of time alone. She rarely gets visitors, because most of her friends are gone.

But Mrs. K doesn't complain.

She lives on a very small Social Security check, but the money never lasts through the month. Medication is quite expensive for Mrs. K and after she pays rent and utilities there is nothing

Mrs. K hasn't planned a Christmas celebration. All alone, she figures what's the point. Besides spending money on holiday treats seems extravagant. And she has no one to buy a present for.

But Christmas for the Elderly would like to throw a small party for Mrs. K, with a few presents for her.

A large magnifying glass with a light would be the perfect gift for Mrs. K. She enjoys reading, but has more and more trouble seeing the words.

Murine eye drops help moisturize Mrs. K's eyes, but she often has trouble buying it because money is so tight. A donation of eye drops would be appreciated.

Mrs. K needs a warm gown, size 12, and a housecoat, size 12-14.

Her cupboards are often bare. Donations of a grocery gift certificate, canned foods, toilet paper, soap, paper towels, tissues and other items would help Mrs. K stretch her monthly income a little farther.

Christmas for the Elderly is a project of the Cape Girardeau Health Department and the Southeast Missourian newspaper.

Gifts may be brought to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Gifts may also be delivered to the health department, 1121 Linden, after 10 a.m. weekdays. Organizers ask that fruit baskets not be delivered until Dec. 16.

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

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.