WIDOW TAKES COMFORT IN READING HER BIBLE

Mrs. K every day reads her Bible. The verses are a comfort to her as she faces failing health and old age.

But Mrs. K's eyesight is failing. She is hoping to save enough money to purchase a large-print Bible.

Mrs. K, a widow, has no children. Her only relatives live on the east coast. Except for an occasional greeting card, Mrs. K doesn't hear from them.

Mrs. K's Pekinese dog is her constant companion, but buying dog food for her friend puts a strain on her budget.

She lives in the house where she was a child. The old structure is in need of many repairs. But Mrs. K cannot afford to have the improvements made.

She has a small income from Social Security. But the money barely covers the cost of her medications each month. She has a chronic illness that causes her to lose weight. She also has osteoporosis.

The two items Mrs. K would most enjoy this holiday season are the large-print Bible and Jontue perfume, a luxury she would never purchase for herself.

Mrs. K must drink a diet supplement called Ensure, which adds considerably to her grocery bill. She prefers the vanilla flavor.

She is in need of new clothing. Her illness has caused her to lose a lot of weight. She now wears a size small and needs a short, nylon nightgown, a sweatsuit, and elastic-waist slacks.

She also needs a full-sized electric blanket and a clock radio. Both items stopped working recently.

Mrs. K also needs a new, full-sized mattress and box spring set. Hers are in bad shape.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint project of the Southeast Missourian newspaper and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or the Health Department, 1121 Linden.

Gifts or monetary donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.