CHRISTMAS FOR ELDERLY SURPASSES GOAL AGAIN

Nurses with the Cape Girardeau County Health Department delivering gifts from Christmas for the Elderly were greeted with hugs and tears of happiness last week.

The ninth year of the program came to a close Christmas Eve as the last of the gifts were delivered.

"I think more than ever this year the stories of people in need touched people. We had a wonderful response," said Kim McDowell, coordinator of the project for the Southeast Missourian. "Every elderly individual will be getting everything on their lists. The generosity of this community just poured over."

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said Thursday, "This project has almost gotten bigger than we are. I wish we had taken a picture of all the donations we received. That room was packed. The items were beautiful. The fruit baskets always look so cheerful with the bows on them."

"We get some tears, lots of hugs," Craig said. "It's heart warming. This is just a real good way for people to share their Christmas spirit."

McDowell added: "We get many notes with the donations. People share their appreciation that we have this kind of program for them to give to. It's good for this community to remember the elderly as well as the children.

"Several school classes chose to adopt families instead of having a Christmas gift exchange," McDowell said. "One group made homemade dog biscuits from a recipe in the newspaper."

In addition to providing a holiday celebration for many needy elderly individuals, money donated is kept in reserve to be used throughout the year when emergency situations arise.

Craig said new cases come to light nearly every week. Other agencies who serve elderly clients contact the health department when needs arise.

"We met some new people with needs through the flu immunization clinic," Craig said.

Christmas for the Elderly matches the donations with the needs.

"I just got a check for $75 with a letter asking us to help an elderly woman or elderly couple to keep their dog," Craig said.

"That's the kind of stuff we do with the donations -- anything that might make a difference. Sometimes it's a life and death difference. Other times is something as simple as adoption of an animal.

"It makes us feel good all year 'round," Craig said. "It's a wonderful, wonderful thing that people do. This is a good area to live in."