PULSE HOLIDAY CARDS THAT CAN HELP.

Now that the holiday season has officially begun, it's time to dust off the address book, amble over to the post office for some neato holiday stamps and fire up the salivary glands to lick 'em.

Now about those cards: Why not choose from some of the many cards offered by all sorts of organizations? Charity Christmas cards show you care in two ways. Not only are you reaching out to friends and loved ones with a card, those purchasing dollars are also going to help any of a number of organizations accomplish important work in your community and around the world.

1. The caption for these adorable napping puppies fittingly reads, ``May all of your dreams come true this holiday season.''

These cards, which benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc., help with operating costs for this organization, which relies totally on donation dollars.

``The public really enjoys the cards and everyone enjoys receiving them,'' said Jenni Metzger of Guide Dogs for the Blind. ``The cards also help to educate the public on the services we provide.''

In addition to acquiring and training dogs, this organization also provides a 28-day program, which includes room and board needed to orient vision-impaired individuals with their new guide dogs.

Holiday cards are available with or without the holiday greeting. A packet of 10 cards is $10. To order, call [phone].

2. Known the world over, the United Nations Children's Fund initiated its Christmas card tradition in 1949, after a grateful child in Czechoslovakia sent a note of thanks for the services UNICEF was providing.

Now, after more than 50 years, UNICEF has sold more than 4 billion cards.

``Every time you buy a card, you're helping a child,'' said Marissa Buckanoff of U.S. Fund for UNICEF. ``It takes so little to help.''

The organization puts the majority of every dollar to children's services, she said.

``We are very credible in terms of where the money goes,'' Buckanoff said.

A packet of 10 cards is $12. They are available at local Pier 1 stores and at IKEA. Or call [phone] for more information on cards and other gift items offered by UNICEF for the holidays.

3. The Christmas cards from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas all have very special art designs. Each card is designed by a child in the cancer treatment program.

The card project, which began 28 years ago, has raised more than $14.2 million for programs like in-hospital classrooms, college scholarships and summer camps.

We show two designs here. Three Angels is by a 12-year-old cancer patient named Michelle. Reindeer is by 13-year-old Ozzie. Cards are sold in packets of 10 for $12.

For a free catalog or to place an order, call [phone], or visit www.childrensart.org.

- Linda Hutchinson

ASSISTANCE

HEALING HELP: To help people in need of home health-care services after surgery, the Jewish Free Loan Association, a nonprofit, nonsectarian agency, is now offering short-term interest-free loans of up to $5,000 to Los Angeles residents. To qualify for an interest-free loan, an application must be a permanent resident of the Greater Los Angeles area, demonstrate need and have a steady source of income such as employment, Social Security or disability benefits. For more information, visit www.jfla.org or call the association at [phone].

- Barbara De Witt

EQUIPMENT

STHMA ALERT: Most of us take breathing for granted, but more Americans than ever are wheezing from asthma. Nearly 15 million American adults - about one in every 14 - now suffer from asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. While most asthmatics use an inhaler for quick relief for wheezing, coughs and chest tightness that signal an asthma attack, there's been a lot of talk about nebulizers that deliver liquid-based medication in a mist to reach the lungs with minimal breathing effort. One of the newest on the market is the rechargeable Omron CompAir Elite Nebulizer than can be carried in pockets or purses, priced at $175 at drug and medical supply stores. To learn more about it, ask your physician, and also check the Omron web site at www.omronhealthcare.com or call [phone].

- B.D.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) The caption for these adorable napping puppies fittingly reads, ``May all of your dreams come true this holiday season.''

(2) UNICEF Christmas card

(3 -- 4) M.D. Anderson christmas cards

(5) no caption (woman holding the Omron CompAir Elite Nebulizer up to a child)