COUPLE WITH FEW FRILLS WOULD ENJOY TV GAME

A friend recently gave Mr. I a Nintendo machine, but no games were included.

Mr. I, who had a leg amputated and whose other health problems keep him at home most of the time, thought Nintendo might make a good pastime.

But then Mr. I priced the games needed to play; he decided he had better put the machine aside for now.

Mr. I and his wife live alone in a small apartment. The couple never had children and have no relatives in the state.

Mr. I has been unable to work for years. His wife is also physically disabled. Finances are very tight.

They manage to scrape by each month, paying a hefty prescription bill along with their other expenses with money from a small pension check.

At the holidays, the couple cannot afford to buy gifts; they celebrate alone, thankful that at least they have each other.

Christmas for the Elderly would like to make Christmas a little happier for them with a few gifts that would make their lives easier.

Both Mr. and Mrs. I are in desperate need of new clothing, but both are hard to fit. A cash donation or gift certificate toward the purchase of some new items would be appreciated.

The couple need a floor lamp. They have no light in their living room. They also really need a small kitchen table with four chairs and bed linens for a full-sized bed.

But, when asked what he would like for Christmas, Mr. I said a Nintendo tape. He is quite intrigued with the game.

A fruit basket, canned goods or gift certificates for groceries would also be helpful.

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.