ELDERLY WOMAN SEEKS LITTLE BUT NEEDS MUCH

Mrs. J is 81-years old and lives a lonely life. She's outlived a husband and two children.

The only things she has to keep her company are her radio and her television. She uses them to listen to programs and music that support the other thing she has: her faith.

Mrs. J is a religious person, and she doesn't like to ask for a lot. Nurses who visit her said she rarely asks for anything, but they managed to get a wish list from her.

Mrs. J only has two outfits. She needs sweaters size 20-24, and dresses or pant sets size 20. She said she'd like to have some new full-size bed linens, new kitchen and bath towels, a coffeemaker, and maybe a new cutlery set. She said some WindSong perfume would really be nice.

But the big item on Mrs. J's wish list is a VCR and some tapes. She would like to record some religious programs that come on, and she enjoys religious movies and gospel tapes.

She also needs detergent for her laundry and dishes, various toiletries, and some denture adhesive.

Christmas for the Elderly provides people with special requests that many take for granted. Food, taxi coupons, toiletries, simple paper products and money for medications are just a few of the donations that would make an elderly person's entire year easier.

The program, in its 12th year, is co-sponsored by Cape Girardeau County Health Department and the Southeast Missourian.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian or the Cape Girardeau County Health Center through Dec. 13.

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

Contributions may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699.