WOMAN'S HOLIDAY CHEER IS CALL FROM FAMILY

Woman's Christmas cheer is family's call

Christmas for Mrs. J means waiting by the telephone for her annual Christmas eve telephone call from her daughter and the Christmas day call from her son.

Her children live far from home and financially cannot come for a visit.

So Mrs. J looks forward to the call from her children and brief chats with the grandkids about the gifts Santa delivered.

After the phone calls, the holiday is over for Mrs. J. She doesn't fix a Christmas meal. For just one person it's not worth the trouble, she says. Besides, she hasn't money to spare for turkey and trimmings.

Mrs. J has diabetes and her medical bills are high. She lives in a small apartment and has a small income from Social Security.

It's a lonely Christmas every year for Mrs. J. But Christmas for the Elderly hopes to bring a little joy to her this year.

Recently, Mrs. J lost her coin purse -- a simple, snap-top coin purse. A new coin purse would delight Mrs. J.

She also needs new wash clothes and towels, thigh-high hose, size 10, and gloves, size large.

A donation of items like powder, lotion, shampoo and soaps would be practical gifts for Mrs. J.

She would also like a gift certificate for a hair permanent at a Jackson shop.

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.