WOMAN'S CHRISTMAS TREE IS BARE WITHOUT GIFTS FOR ELEDERLY

Once, years ago, someone gave Mrs. H a ceramic Christmas tree. The treasured decoration comes out each Nov. 1, is dusted and takes a place of honor in her home.

The little tree reminds Mrs. H that Christmas is a time to celebrate. With her little terrier dog, Mrs. H celebrates Christmas every year.

The celebration might seem a little bleak to some. Without Christmas for the Elderly, Mrs. H would have no gifts to open and no cards to read. She wouldn't even be able to afford a special meal for her and the little dog.

Mrs. H lives alone and has worked hard all her life. She depends on the kindness of other people for transportation to the grocery store, church and the doctor's office. Those are her only outings.

She is a diabetic who works hard to stay on her specially prescribed diet. But candy is her downfall. A donation of diabetic candy would make Mrs. H very happy. Also a fruit basket would be a nice gift for her, along with a gift certificate for groceries.

Mrs. H would like a pretty new floral arrangement to take the place of the Christmas tree when the holidays are over.

Mrs. H lives on a very limited budget. She doesn't have money left over to buy new things, and as a result, many items in her home are tattered and need replacing.

She needs a new billfold, black, and new blue bath and hand towels and wash clothes. Mrs. H also needs a new, full-sized bed spread, sheets and pillow cases.

A hair permanent would be a treat and a real boost to her spirits.

Mrs. H adores her dog, a 16-pound terrier. But the dog, slightly overweight, must eat special reduced calorie dog food from the veterinarian. A donation towards that cost would be appreciated. She also would love to have a dog sweater or bone to give Nikki for Christmas.

Because she spends so much time alone at home, Mrs. H loves to read. She especially enjoys Readers Digest Condensed Books. She also would love a subscription to Guideposts Magazine, the large-print edition.

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

Gifts may be brought to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Gifts also may be delivered to the health department, 1121 Linden, after 10 a.m. weekdays. Organizers ask that fruit baskets not be delivered until Dec. 16.

Contributions 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.