Mrs. H. would like pharmacy gift certificate

Mrs. H. lives with her husband, who helps with her care. Their two daughters also come to check on the couple but both live out of town and aren't close by.

Mrs. H. has gone without her medications so that the couple could pay all their expenses. She suffers from congestive heart failure and has a history of strokes.

Mrs. H. could use a gift certificate to a pharmacy so that she can have her medications refilled. She also would benefit from meals delivered through the senior center or Meals on Wheels.

She would like underwear in size 10, preferably white. She would also like socks.

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to Christmas for the Elderly recipients. The recipients are referred to the program by the Hoover Eldercare Center, Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Missouri Division of Senior Services.

Fruit baskets, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores also would be helpful for the program, which is jointly sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies are at the top of many seniors' lists this year. Other necessities are sweat suits, slippers and bath robes in a variety of sizes and colors.

The Southeast Missourian newspaper will collect gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices. The gifts should be donated by mid-December for delivery before Christmas.

Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.