WOMAN WITH DISEASE NEEDS NEW MATTRESS

Mrs. P, 72, suffers from a disease that causes the intestines to deteriorate. She also has an electrolyte imbalance and is having difficulty gaining weight.

She lives alone with her dog Ming, a devoted companion who has been with her for several years.

Because of her medical condition, Mrs. P has difficulty sleeping on an old mattress that buckles in the middle. A firmer mattress would keep Mrs. P from worrying about breaking a bone when she turns over.

Christmas for the Elderly, a joint venture of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department and Southeast Missourian, is designed to help underprivileged people like Mrs. P.

She could use a small jump suit, nightgown or robe. She also needs help buying groceries. She would appreciate a gift certificate from a local grocery store.

Mrs. P would also like toys, milk bones or liver snaps for her dog.

Other items that many take for granted but are often deemed luxuries by the elderly: dishwashing detergent, bath soap, envelopes, stamps and paper products.

Mrs. P also uses a formula called Sustacal to combat her disease.

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.