Christmas for the Elderly provides gifts to the elderly

With the help of Christmas for the Elderly, a program organized by the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau Jaycees, Cape Girardeau's senior citizens will receive gifts at the holidays.

The recipients are referred by the Hoover Eldercare Center, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Missouri Division of Senior Services.

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, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores also would be helpful. Many need sugar-free items.

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

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

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