ORNAMENTS GIVE CENTER RESIDENTS CHRISTMAS

A gift tree for residents of Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center is on display at Weber TV and Appliance in Cape Girardeau.

The tree features ornaments bearing Christmas "wish lists" for the center's 32 residents. Interested donors can pick an ornament and purchase a gift to help the residents have a merry Christmas this year.

"A lot of the kids don't have any contact with their parents," said Cindy Snell of the center. "They don't get any gifts for Christmas from their family, and the state doesn't allow us to get them presents using state funds. So if we don't get donations, they don't get presents."

Cottonwood, 1025 Sprigg St., is a mental health treatment center for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17.

Weber TV and Appliance, 818 Broadway, sponsors the gift tree annually.

Donations may be brought to Weber TV and Appliance by Dec. 15, or donors may contact Snell at Cottonwood. To make a tax-deductible donation, contact Marylene Ellion at 290-5888.