COUPLE HOPES FOR NECESSITIES

Mr. and Mrs. A have worked hard their entire lives. It took them over 60 years to pay for their home, which Mrs. A keeps clean despite the surrounding dirty and deteriorating neighborhood.

They are proud. Proud of their home, proud of their accomplishments. They insist they can still do everything themselves, but they need help. They qualify for Medicaid, but they refuse to apply for public assistance unless absolutely necessary.

Mr. and Mrs. A don't want much. Mr. A needs size large Depends, and he needs Ensure in any flavor. He would like a large flannel or wool jacket, size seven house shoes, an extra large sweatsuit, and four short-sleeved dress shirts size 10 1/2.

Mrs. A needs lotion, iron tablets and baby aspirin. She would like house dresses, nightgowns and sweaters size 2x, and house shoes size nine or 10.

They would like a Christmas ham or turkey, a set of water glasses, a toaster or a can opener for Christmas. They both are coffee drinkers, and would love to wake up to a new coffee maker with any kind of coffee with cream on Christmas morning.

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

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

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian or area locations through Dec. 13. Contributions may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699.