Woman with few relatives needs phone

Life for Mrs. F. is getting lonelier as her relatives die. A sister recently died, and her son was killed in a car accident several years ago.

The holidays can be difficult times for her now that there are few relatives here.

Mrs. F. survives on a minimum food-stamp subsidy and Medicaid and Medicare coverage. She is diabetic and needs medications.

She would like a cordless phone for Christmas since walking to the phone can be difficult at times. She also needs extra-large house dresses with front snaps. Bath towels, dish towels and dish rags would make ideal gifts for Mrs. F. She also needs full-size sheets. Purple is her favorite color.

Gifts like paper goods and toiletry items, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, soap and pet foods are needed to distribute to Christmas for the Elderly recipients. The referrals for the program come from the state Division of Senior Services, Hoover Eldercare Center and Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

Fruit baskets, stamps or gift certificates at discount and grocery stores also would be helpful. Other necessities are sweat suits in a variety of sizes and colors. Slippers and bath robes make good gifts also.

The Southeast Missourian newspaper will collect gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices.

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