GARDENER FACES HARDSHIP OF WINTER MONTHS

For years and years Mr. B has tended a garden at his small rural home. He enjoys gardening, and he eats the vegetables he raises.

Mr. B's small monthly income often runs out before the end of the month. He sometimes must choose between paying his medical bills and buying groceries.

He is a diabetic and has high blood pressure, so the bills do mount.

Instead of picking out holiday gifts this Christmas, Mr. B will worry about how to pay his electric bill for the coldest months of the year.

Mr. B would like an all-weather, khaki-colored jacket, size extra-large. He also needs new long-sleeve flannel shirts, size 16, and pants size 38 waist and 32 length. A pair of warm house shoes, size 10, would also be a nice surprise for Mr. B.

He would appreciate a cash donation to help offset his heating bill and a gift certificate to purchase groceries this winter, until his spring garden crops come in.

Mr. B, like most of the others in the Christmas for the Elderly programs, likes to receive practical gifts like fruit baskets, canned goods, paper products like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels, soap, shampoo and other non-perishable items.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian at 301 Broadway or the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, 1121 Linden.

Gifts or financial donations 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.