CHRISTMAS SPRIRIT: 'OLD GOATS' LEND HAND TO ELDERLY

They describe themselves as a bunch of "old goats," and they sit around drinking coffee. Then one day they decided it was time to quit talking and take some action to help the elderly.

The "old goats" coffee klatch, a group of businessmen, were among hundreds of people who responded to the call of Christmas for the Elderly, making this year's holiday project a huge success.

The project is co-sponsored by the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department as a way to assist elderly people in the community, many of whom face the holidays alone and in need.

The Christmas wishes of all the individuals featured in the Southeast Missourian were filled, along with wishes of a number of additional needy elderly whose stories weren't told in the newspaper. And Christmas for the Elderly has collected over $13,000 to be used throughout the coming year.

"This year the community has reached out so generously to Christmas for the Elderly, Christmas will continue for several more months," said Kim McDowell, who coordinates Christmas for the Elderly for the newspaper.

Over the years Christmas for the Elderly has expanded. In addition to clients of the county health department, needy elderly individuals served by the Division of Aging, the Regional Dialysis Center, and the APPLE project also benefit.

"We are able to continue the spirit of this program in a larger way than we ever imagined," McDowell said. "Every donation we received is a blessing to these people."

Those who work with the project are also moved. "I open cards from elderly individuals donating $5 or so, and they write `I have so much. I want to help someone else.' It makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it," McDowell said.

Charlotte Craig, director of the county health department, agreed.

"We were overwhelmed physically and mentally this year with the generosity of the gifts," she said. "At one point we were saying, `Oh my, something else is coming in the door.'"

Then Craig delivered some of the Christmas gifts. "These folks are so tickled. These are sacks of groceries we are bringing in the house, and they are excited like it was a diamond ring. It just touches their hearts that the rest of the community is thinking about them."

Those kind thoughts prompted the coffee klatch to participate.

"We are just a bunch of old guys who sit around and drink coffee," said Larry Payne. One of the guys suggested the group "adopt" someone through Christmas for the Elderly.

"We decided it would be a good thing to do and went out and did it," Payne explained. They divided up the duties, buying clothing and food and other holiday gifts. A new set of concrete steps was delivered to the elderly "adoptee."

"It's that time of year," Payne said. "For those of us who have the ability, this is something we should do."

All the gifts donated to the project were appropriate and appreciated, Craig said. "Some people used their imaginations on top of the requested gifts, and that was delightful to see."

The money donated is kept in an emergency fund for use by needy elderly in the community. Agencies who work with the elderly are familiar with the money and can request assistance.

"This will be Christmas in June and July and August for many people," Craig said. "This program is a lifesaver for elderly individuals all year long."