Veteran with distant relative has one request

Mr. F lives alone in a small mobile home. He doesn't have any family members nearby; his closest relative lives in Florida.

The holidays are lonely and lean times for him.

Items donated to Christmas for the Elderly will help give senior citizens some gifts and items needed throughout the year. The program is organized by the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Missouri Division of Senior Services and Hoover Eldercare Center refer clients to the program.

Mr. F receives only $700 each month from his veteran's pension and Social Security, which makes it difficult to pay all his expenses. His son does provide some help.

But Mr. F also is diabetic and is suffering from a digestive disorder and kidney failure.

His only wish this Christmas is for an apartment-sized refrigerator.

Gifts like toiletries, cleaning supplies, towels and bed linens help many Christmas for the Elderly recipients. Several have requested fruit baskets, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores as well.

The money collected in donations and the items donated are used to supply the recipients throughout the year. Many of the agencies also receive grants to help them provide assistance as needs arise.

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.