LONELY WIDOW WISHES FOR CHIRSTMAS CHEER

On Christmas Day, while Mrs. D's friends are traveling to their children's home or at least chatting on the telephone with relatives, Mrs. D will be alone. She is almost always alone these days.

Mrs. D is a widow with no children and no other family. She never mentions to her friends that she is alone. She doesn't want to intrude on their happiness.

Last year, she didn't receive a single Christmas gift but this year Christmas for the Elderly would like to bring a smile to Mrs. D's face.

Mrs. D, who is in her late 70s, is anemic and has recurring sinus infections and was treated for cancer in 1986.

Nurses who visit Mrs. D asked her to make a Christmas wish list. She listed one thing -- a new toaster. Hers was broken, but she worried that a new toaster would be too extravagant to request. The nurse suggested she broaden her horizons and mention anything she ever wished for. Mrs. D said that with her arthritis, an electric can opener would be wonderful. She never has owned one.

Mrs. D could also use a white or off-white cardigan sweater, size large, a winter coat, size medium, and a pair of nice winter gloves. She also needs cotton dresses that zip up the front, size medium, bobby socks, and cotton panties, size 8. Mrs. D would also like perfume, a tote bag, a new hairbrush and scarves for her hair.

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.