MR. N DOESN'T EXPECT ANY GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY

When Mr. N was a child he quit school early to work on the family farm. He worked on that farm for years, until his diabetes forced him to stop.

Mr. N regrets not finishing his education and says his lack of reading skills have made his life difficult. He urges young people he meets to stay in school and get a good education.

Despite his limited income and failing health, Mr. N is determined to remain independent as long as possible.

He lives alone in his small rental home. It is cold in the drafty house, partly because of poor insulation and partly because Mr. N won't turn up the heat for fear of a high utility bill. His only income is a monthly Social Security check.

This Christmas, Mr. N doesn't think any holiday gifts are headed his way. Who would be sending something to him? he asks. Christmas for the Elderly would like to provide a happy holiday for him this year.

Mr. N needs new, warm shirts, size 15 to 15 1/2. Mr. N likes to wear one-pocket T-shirts in various colors. He needs new boxer underwear, size 36-38, white socks and long johns for the winter.

Mr. N also needs disposable razors, shaving cream and spray deodorant.

Because he is a diabetic, Mr. N is on a special diet. He enjoys using the sweetener Equal on his foods, but often can't afford it. A donation of Equal would be a nice present.

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. Please deliver gifts by Dec. 14.

For more information call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.