Mrs. L needs help with household items, clothing

Mrs. L suffers from a variety of ailments, though she hasn't lost her sense of humor.

But she could use more cheer this holiday with some gifts from Christmas for the Elderly, a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian that provides holiday gifts to needy senior citizens in the community.

Mrs. L lives alone in a senior housing complex and rarely gets to see her family since they are scattered around the country. She has a limited source of income and a short holiday wish list.

She is one of several clients referred to the program by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Missouri Division of Senior Services and Hoover Eldercare Center.

Mrs. L would like gift certificates to a pharmacy or to a grocery or discount store where she can buy household staples.

She would like some new pants and blouses. The pants should be a size 2X in solid colors. She'd like new blouses in size 42 with prints or flowers.

Like many senior citizens, she could use some new items around her house. Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to many of the Christmas for the Elderly recipients.

Fruit baskets and stamps also would be helpful.

Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies also are good gifts.

The Southeast Missourian will collect gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices.

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