GROWING BILLS PUT TAMPER OVER WOMAN'S CHRISTMAS

A one-word description of Mrs. E would be sweet; She takes time to ask about the welfare of her friends and neighbors and does little favors to help them.

What her friends may not know is that Mrs. E is struggling to make ends meet.

Following a financial crisis, Mrs. E's daughter and two granddaughters came to live in Mrs. E's small apartment.

They now pool their resources, but it takes everything they have to pay the utilities and rent.

Mrs. E, who is 71, has diabetes, a heart condition and glaucoma. She is nearly blind. Her medical expenses are quite high.

This holiday, while she will be with her family, there will be no money for presents.

A few Christmas gifts would do wonders to lift Mrs. E's spirits.

She is in desperate need of a cash donation to purchase insulin and syringes to treat her diabetes.

Mrs. E also needs new clothes disparately. She literally has just one sweater and one pair of pants suitable to wear when she goes to the doctor or grocery store.

She would also enjoy a new, long robe and a cotton gown, size 16.

A hair cut and permanent would help make Mrs. E feel better about herself.

Mrs. E has two cats who are beloved, long-time friends. A donation of cat food and kitty litter would ease another trouble for Mrs. E.

Gift certificates for groceries and perhaps a fruit basket, would help make the season seem more like Christmas at Mrs. E's home.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint project of the Cape Girardeau Health Department and the Southeast Missourian newspaper as a way to bring a little holiday cheer to needy, elderly residents.

Organizers ask that gifts be given by Dec. 13.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian office, 301 Broadway, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Gifts may also be delivered to the health department, 1121 Linden, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Checks may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.