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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 20, 1994                   TAG: 9411180006
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SANTA ARRIVES EARLY

Clinton Graves, a Blacksburg businessman and owner of a local moving and storage company, has once again played Santa Claus to the Montgomery County Christmas Store - lending them a large building to use as its store.

The volunteer organization does not own a building and every year must find a vacant site for the store, which provides Christmas gifts and food to more than 1,300 poor families in Montgomery County.

Nine times in the past 12 years, Graves has lent one of his buildings to the Christmas Store. This year he donated the former Heck's building in Christiansburg at no cost. This helps keep overhead costs for the store below 10 percent. Money not spent on rent can go for new goods for the store recipients.

by CNB