Shoeboxes for seniors are due by Wednesday, Dec. 16 deadline

Margie Burke admires some of the donated shoeboxes for senior citizens. "Shoeboxes of Love" will be passed out to every senior in home or care centers before Christmas. With a deadline of December16 approaching, donations are coming in for "Operation Love and Care in a Shoebox," organizer Margie Burke said, as church groups, individuals, and organizations are joining in to help in collecting and filling shoe boxes for all the senior citizens in all Wilkes County facilities.

Burke said a gift box should only cost $8 or $10 to fill. "If you're a savvy shopper it can be done for even less," she said. "Find an empty shoe box, or get a plastic box at a dollar store. Then you can wrap it, lid separately, but wrapping is not required." Mark on the box whether the gift is to go to a woman or to a man.

"Fill the box with a variety of little gifts, and you may also want to include a note, a poem, a scripture, to the person. Place a rubber band or string around your box to hold it together," she said.

The boxes may be dropped off to Margie Burke at McDonald's, or Kip Burke at The News-Reporter. or call Margie Burke at 706-318-0832. Deadline for the boxes is December16.

Suggested items for boxes include lotion, toothpaste, body wash (no bar soap), tooth brushes, snack cakes (for regular diets), pudding or applesauce cups (for puree diets), stuffed toys, aftershave, brushes, soft peppermints, combs, sugar- free candies, hand-held mirrors, soft candy miniature bars, lipstick or lip balm, nail polish, playing cards, costume-type jewelry (beads, pins, etc.), mouthwash, Kleenex, chewing gum, handy-wipes, stocking caps, body spray, puzzle books, socks, stationary, undershirts, ink pens, and pocket radios and batteries.

"These are just suggestions," she said. "But whatever you can do, we thank you for your efforts. These wonderful folks will be so blessed because somebody like you remembered them at Christmas."