MRS. D WOULD APPRECIATE GIFTS AT CHRISTMAS

Mrs. D has taken care of herself for more than 70 years and she is determined to continue doing so.

Her two children, who live in another state, have asked Mrs. D to live with them. But she refuses. She wants to stay at home.

Scrimping and saving have become a way of life for Mrs. D. She manages her meager income very carefully and believes she can maintain her home, at least for a while.

As a result, she will be alone this Christmas. Her children will be with their families. Mrs. D cannot afford to visit and her children cannot afford to pay her way or come to Cape Girardeau.

A Christmas gift something practical would brighten the holidays for Mrs. D.

She is a diabetic Mrs. D walks with the aid of a walker and has many foot problems brought on by the disease. Mrs. D is also on dialysis.

Years of skimping have left Mrs. D with a few small needs.

Mrs. D would enjoy a new cardigan sweater and a new house coat, size large. She also needs a new purse.

A fruit basket and gift certificate for groceries would be wonderful gifts for Mrs. D. She often skimps on groceries in order to make ends meet.

Mrs. D enjoys reading and would enjoy a subscription to a large-print magazine very much. She would never spend the money for such a luxury herself.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint project of the Cape Girardeau Health Department and the Southeast Missourian newspaper as a way to bring a little holiday cheer to needy, elderly residents.

Organizers ask that gifts be given by Dec. 13.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office, 301 Broadway, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Gifts may also be delivered to the health department, 1121 Linden, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Checks may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.