
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 28, 1993                   TAG: 9312280089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THEY GIVE TO NEEDY INSTEAD OF EACH OTHER

Donna Castle Aspell's father suggested to his children three years ago that they stop giving each other presents at Christmas.

"After a traditional Christmas where we all spent way too much money on each other for things none of us needed or wanted," Aspell explained, her family decided that each Christmas, they would give to a community fund for the needy instead.

Aspell, who lives in Herndon, gave to the Good Nabors fund in honor of her father.

"The holiday is no less festive or enjoyable without the presents," said Aspell. "In fact . . . it is more pleasant."

Aspell hopes that this gift-giving idea will catch on. "I would like to encourage other families to join us in a new tradition of Christmas giving, and I want everyone to know what a wonderful man my dad is."

Checks should be made payable to Good Neighbors Fund and mailed to Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.

Names - but not the amounts of donations - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.

Gifts are tax-deductible.

Keywords:
INFOLINE

by CNB