Nursing home resident needs chair for visitors

Miss M., 79, lives in a nursing home and has a limited income. She suffers serious complications from diabetes.

For Christmas she would like a folding chair for her room so that visitors have a place to sit. She would like a large raincoat in any color and gift certificates.

Many senior citizens like Miss M. have little money for extras and could benefit from a small gift at the holidays.

Christmas for the Elderly provides gifts for the community's needy elderly. It is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian. The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Hoover Eldercare Center and Missouri Division of Senior Services make referrals to the program.

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed for distribution. Fruit baskets, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores also would be helpful.

Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies are at the top of many seniors' lists. Other necessities are sweat suits. Slippers and bath robes make good gifts.

The Southeast Missourian is collecting 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.