DELIVERS UNDER WAY TO BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS FOR COUNTY'S ELDERLY

You would think the Publisher's Clearinghouse entourage had arrived at Parlee Anderson's door Friday morning, but it was even better: it was a Christmas for the Elderly delivery team.

"Isn't that something? This is just so good, isn't it?" asked Anderson, who received nearly everything she requested on her Christmas wish list. "I'm just so happy right now."

Anderson, who lives in Cape Girardeau, was one of many senior citizens in the county who has or will receive much needed clothing, food, and other supplies through Christmas for the Elderly this year. Many of the program's recipients live alone on a limited income, and they often need help with grocery, medication and transportation costs.

Christmas for the Elderly is in its 12th year, and is co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Southeast Missourian.

Volunteers began Christmas deliveries this week. Food, cab coupons and toiletries were just a few of the necessities people had included on Christmas wish lists. Other items included small appliances, pet food and supplies, videos or even furniture.

"They get a big kick out of getting these gifts," said Steve Sikes, a health department environmental sanitarian who helped with the deliveries. "A lot of these people you see, they really need these things. It's a good thing."

Carol Sarff, an LPN and public health nurse for the health department, said donations made to Christmas for the Elderly this year will allow the health department to help the elderly in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area all year long.

"Everyone did a great job again this year, and we're just so thankful to everyone who donated," said Sarff. "Christmas for the Elderly has made so many people happy already. We'll be able to continue helping people all year long thanks to all of the donations we received."

Sarff said the health department receives requests for assistance from senior citizens for many basic necessities. "We never think about buying toilet paper or toothpaste; for us it's not a big deal. But a lot these people have almost no money, so for them it's often a choice of this or that. Sometimes they don't buy food so they can buy medication, and vice versa."

Sarff said Christmas for the Elderly provided an elderly woman with a new furnace earlier in the week. Her furnace had been disconnected because of carbon monoxide danger, said Sarff, and she was living in a drafty trailer without heat. Flori Sales and Service sold the health department the furnace at cost, and they provided free delivery, parts and labor so that the heat was on again by Thursday, she said.

"Christmas for the Elderly is a good program that helps a lot of people," Sarff said. "These people need help, and this program provides it."