Couple with mounting bills needs help with basics

Mr. and Mrs. H have mounting bills and virtually no income.

The couple live on disability checks, and Mr. H's medication costs eat up most of that money. He has been hospitalized several times, and his family is trying to scrape together enough to pay that final bill.

He suffers from high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes and has limited mobility. Mrs. H also has several health problems but is her husband's primary caregiver.

The couple could use some help from donations received through Christmas for the Elderly, a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides holiday gifts to needy senior citizens in the community.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Missouri Division of Senior Services and Hoover Eldercare Center refer clients to the program.

Mr. H would like some white socks in size 12 or 13, flannel shirts in size 4X and some dark-colored, wide suspenders.

Mrs. H has requested embroidery supplies.

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to Christmas for the Elderly recipients. Fruit baskets, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores also would be helpful.

Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies are at the top of many seniors' lists this year. Other necessities are sweat suits in a variety of sizes and colors.

The Southeast Missourian will collect gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices.

Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.