Elderly woman could use help with medication

Mrs. G has barely enough to pay her bills, let alone buy the medicine she needs.

And Mrs. G could benefit greatly from some holiday cheer. She lives alone in an apartment building. Her only son does help with errands from time to time.

She is diabetic and has arthritis. She suffered from cervical cancer in 1999 and has heart problems now.

Medications are essential to her care, but she seldom can afford what she needs. She has asked for some help at the holidays through Christmas for the Elderly.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides holiday gifts to needy senior citizens in the community. Donations for the program are being collected now for delivery before Christmas.

Mrs. G would like a nightgown and housecoat in size medium or large, a shower chair and some gift certificates to discount stores and pharmacies.

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

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to all Christmas for the Elderly recipients. Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies are at the top of many seniors' lists this year.

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.