GIVE THANKS: HOLIDAY PROGRAMS OFFER OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING

As preparations are finalized for this week's Thanksgiving celebration, a number of holiday programs to benefit the needy are gearing up.

Southeast Missouri, especially Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City, have a long tradition of reaching out to those in need and supporting the volunteer programs that offer a helping hand.

The programs are many and varied. Some are small, a church group offering a food basket to a friend. Others are large like Toybox, Christmas for the Elderly, and the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights.

"We hope people will take time during this week to count their blessings and look for ways to share their good fortune. That's what we celebrate at Thanksgiving," said Kim McDowell, who coordinated the Southeast Missourian's participation in two holiday projects.

The newspaper is partners with the Cape Girardeau Jaycees for Toybox. New toys are collected for children ages 2 through 12 and delivered just before Christmas by a team of Jaycee Santas and their elves.

The Southeast Missourian and the Cape Girardeau Health Department team up to sponsor Christmas for the Elderly. In the weeks prior to Christmas, stories of our elderly neighbors in need appear in the newspaper, along with a wish list for Christmas.

Each year, the holiday gift lists have been filled and additional money collected. Those dollars are used throughout the year to offer assistance.

"I can say, without embellishing, that Christmas for the Elderly has come close to being the difference of life and death for some people. In July when an elderly person has no air conditioner or in January when a person has no heater, that donation makes a significant difference," said Charlotte Craig, director of the health department.

The Salvation Army, already in the midst of a community Thanksgiving celebration to be held Thursday, is also ready to kick off the annual Christmas Tree of Lights campaign. It officially starts Wednesday, but the familiar red kettles and bell-ringers have already taken up their posts.

Money collected during the campaign help fund a Christmas basket program. Food for a substantial holiday meal is given to needy families. The Salvation Army also provides toys for needy children outside the Toybox delivery area.

Major Bob Gauthier anticipates that numbers of needy families requesting help will be a little larger than last year.

"We've already this year seen 1,000 more cases than in the previous year," Gauthier said. "These are people coming in for the basic necessities."

In four days, more than 250 applications were received for the holiday program.

"There are really a lot of things people can do to help," Gauthier said.

For the Tree of Lights campaign, donations can be mailed to the Salvation Army or dropped into the kettles. One of the largest expenses for the food baskets is turkeys. Donations of frozen turkeys goes a long way toward offsetting the cost of the program.

"If churches or organizations want to conduct canned goods collections, we can use those items during the holidays and throughout the year," he said.

The annual Coats for Kids drive will be held Tuesday. Coats and sweaters are being collected at Schnucks throughout the day. The items will be distributed a week later from the Salvation Army.

The Thanksgiving dinner this week could use a boost. No hams have been donated. Ham is traditionally served with the meal.

"We are also really in need of a food warmer, which is like a big oven to keep food warm," Gauthier said. "If someone has one to offer, we would greatly appreciate it."

Information about the Salvation Army programs is available by calling (573) 335-7000.

Information about Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly is available by calling Kim McDowell at (573) 335-6611, ext. 101.

"We hope and pray everyone has a safe and happy holiday season," Gauthier said. "That's what we're tying to make happen here."