GIFTS FOR ELDERLY MAKE HOLIDAY MORE CHEERFUL

Nurses at the Cape Girardeau County Health Department got to play "Santa's helpers" Tuesday as they delivered gifts and holiday cheer to senior citizens.

Christmas for the Elderly brightens the holidays for many senior citizens who may be without family, friends or funds to celebrate Christmas otherwise. Many often have to choose between buying medicine and buying food, so the holiday cheer is especially welcome.

Jane Wernsman said she only got to make one delivery for Christmas for the Elderly.

"Her son happened to be there, and he helped me bring all the gifts in," Wernsman said. "She was very happy, very thankful. We got everything and brought it in to her. She just looked at everything and said, `My goodness! Santa Claus has been here!' She did get a little teary-eyed and she said, `This is the first year I can remember that I haven't done or made something for everybody.'"

The Christmas deliveries "really improved (recipients') spirits," nurse Tammie Koenig said. "So many of them don't have any family or don't have any money, so they're always real appreciative."

LaDeva Enderle said she enjoyed the opportunity to brighten someone's day.

"They're just thrilled, I'll tell you," she said. "They're there alone, a lot of them, and may not even see anybody on Christmas Day. Most of them are so happy to see somebody and to get some little gift, you'd think you'd brought them a million bucks."

Christmas for the Elderly was established 10 years ago as a joint effort by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department and the Southeast Missourian to provide a few gifts. Over the years, it has grown to the point that thousands of dollars are collected every year, allowing more senior citizens to benefit.

This year, 113 people benefited from Christmas for the Elderly, said Charlotte Craig, director of the health department.

The program raised nearly $14,000 in cash donations and gifts, said Kim McDowell, coordinator of the program for the Southeast Missourian.

"All of the individuals were able to receive everything they asked for, and there was additional money to be able to assist people throughout the year," she said.

Remaining cash donations to the program go into a special fund to help Christmas "string along all year," said health department director Charlotte Craig. "There are people who will benefit from it that we haven't even met yet."

The fund is used to help the elderly pay for medical bills and other unexpected expenses that arise year-round, she said, adding that many agencies refer clients for help.

"Whenever we can make life a little simpler with that fund, we do," Craig said.

Many agencies make referrals for Christmas for the Elderly, she said, adding that the health department is just the "gatekeeper" for the program.

One donation that was especially popular was a garland made of doggy biscuits, Craig said.

"Somebody or some group took cellophane and wrapped a dog biscuit and tied a ribbon, then wrapped another dog biscuit and tied a ribbon and made a garland out of little dog biscuits, with red and green ribbon," she said. "It was the cutest thing we'd ever seen. Every time somebody came in, we'd show it off. Somebody went to a lot of trouble."