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

DATE: SATURDAY, December 17, 1994                   TAG: 9412190048
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                  LENGTH: Medium

'A LOT OF HAPPY PEOPLE' IS ELF SHELF GOAL

The Elf Shelf opened Friday in a large room in the School Administration Building on Wadsworth Street that has been decked out in holiday style. Shopping continues today. To avoid the waiting lines of last year, this season's shoppers all have appointments.

"We seem to be getting it together again," said Lori Spanjers, who directs the Elf Shelf, a community effort that involves churches, schools, civic and campus groups, businesses, individuals and the city's Welfare and Social Services Department. "We're in really good shape."

Spanjers estimated 330 kids - from infants to teen-agers - would get toys from the Elf Shelf this season. "Overall, it looks like our numbers are a little down this year," Spanjers said. However, toy inventory, which includes the highly popular Power Rangers, is up. "We have three times as many toys as we had last year," she said.

Spanjers got an early start snarfing up Power Rangers toys and other "hot" playthings at various stores. "We got some great deals this year." She said she took advantage of some going-out-of-business sales to stock up on Barbie dolls. "Lion King" toys also are popular this year.

To encourage parents to buy books for Christmas, the Elf Shelf put up an ample supply of reading materials for all ages.

A dozen or so used bicycles, refurbished for sale to Elf Shelf patrons, lined one wall of the shop.

Before the Elf Shelf came along last year, toys were handed out in the Welfare and Social Services Department lobby. Now, the department each fall asks families getting Food Stamps and other assistance if they need help with Christmas and develops a list of eligible families. "We don't give presents to anyone unless they ask for them," said Suzanne Glass, the Welfare and Social Services Department superintendent.

The Elf Shelf's prime benefactor has been The Empty Stocking Fund - a Rotary Club fund-raising project that has given thousands of dollars each year to the city Welfare and Social Services Department to buy gifts, toys and food for disadvantaged families. As part of a cooperative arrangement, The Empty Stocking Fund assumed the toy distribution effort last Christmas, although the money still comes through the Welfare and Social Services Department.

Several dozen volunteers work in shifts to help shoppers make their selections. Each shopper gets to spend up to 25 points. Color-coded dots on each item indicate its "price."

The Rev. Kent Taylor of First Baptist Church and a group of parishioners brought the idea for a free Christmas toy store back to Radford after visiting a similar operation in inner-city Baltimore. Taylor helped turn the vision into reality. Thursday, he was busy stocking shelves and helping to set up shop.

Thora Jervey of the Radford Woman's Club came up with the Elf Shelf name. Her group is among those that have contributed toys and labor. The program operates under the umbrella of New River Community Action, so it enjoys nonprofit, tax-exempt status, Spanjers said.

As Elf Shelf shopping kicked into high gear Friday, Spanjers pronounced the new appointment system a success. But more important, she said, was "great community support, lots of volunteers, a better selection and nicer toys this year."

"I think we have a lot of happy people."