Woman's income short of filling needs

Mrs. P. is still fairly independent, although she lives with her son to ease some of her financial burdens.

She receives assistance from Medicaid and Medicare. She suffers from high blood pressure, arthritis and poor vision, and has a thyroid problem.

For Christmas, she'd like a few extras that her income can't supply: purple towels and washcloths, full-size sheets in pink, and paper goods.

She also could use gift certificates to grocery stores or pharmacies.

With donations to Christmas for the Elderly, Mrs. P. might get these gifts.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian.

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

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to Christmas for the Elderly recipients. Fruit baskets and stamps and discount store gift certificates also would be helpful.

Dish towels, washcloths, towels and cleaning supplies are at the top of many seniors' lists. Other necessities are sweat suits in a variety of sizes and colors. Slippers and bath robes make good gifts.

The Southeast Missourian newspaper is collecting gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices. The gifts should be donated by mid-December for delivery before Christmas.

Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.