Seniors just like being remembered

Many elderly residents in Cape Girardeau County don't require lavish gifts for the holiday but want something to show they've been remembered. Some won't be seeing relatives because of illnesses or limited incomes that prevent travel.

Christmas for the Elderly provides small gifts and necessary household items for the community's elderly residents. The program is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian. Referrals to the program are made through the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Hoover Eldercare Center and Missouri Division of Senior Services.

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

Some of the smaller requests include laundry detergent, dog food and cat food, sugar-free foods and candies, work boots, sweatshirts and pants, flannel shirts in all sizes, white socks, cosmetics, bath soaps and thermal underwear.

The only request from Mrs. I. was a small, blue purse and a blue raincoat in size extra large. She lives in a nursing home and can't often make shopping trips for herself.

The Southeast Missourian newspaper 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.