ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512080057
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ADRIANNE BEE STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on December 9, 1995.
The Montgomery County Christmas Store's goal is $110,000, which
volunteers hope to reach by early 1996. Almost $89,000 has been raised
so far. The wrong goal was listed in Friday's paper.
Families line up outside the Montgomery County Christmas Store opening night while volunteers gather inside the massive building for a moment of silent reflection. At 5 p.m. the doors opened and the silence ceases.
Children head to "Kid's World" to shop for their families' holiday gifts. Their moms and dads are assigned hosts and hostesses to help them shop for their children.
The Christmas Store served 267 area families when it opened for the first time in 1982. This year, volunteers raised $85,000 that will help 1,400 low-income families provide new toys and clothes for their children this holiday season.
Children like 9-month-old Edward Bowman.
His mother, Cynthia Bowman, 20, and a Christiansburg native, heads off, hostess and shopping cart in tow. She has 100 "points" to spend on Edward, plus an extra 30 for volunteering in the store for three hours. All donated merchandise bears point values, not price tags. First stop: Infant Clothing.
"Does he have a coat? Mittens? Does he need socks?," asks volunteer Debbie Stanley. She runs to the used-coat department and reappears with a tiny Edward-sized coat decorated with airplanes (no points required for the used coat and some socks and underwear). A Sesame Street blanket, a sleeper, extra socks, an outfit and 50 points are spent.
"The sleeper I got him last year finally fits him now," Bowman says. "I was expecting when I came here last year so I got everything in green and yellow because I didn't know if it was going to be a boy or girl."
Onto the toy department. Bowman decides to spend 50 points on many small toys. "That way you can get more," she says as she selects a small car with Barney the dinosaur at the wheel. "He likes little cars."
Magnetized letters from A - Z, stacking rings, a microphone that sings lullabies, then Bowman selects the free book every child receives. She says the purchases she made will help her and Edward long after the winter chill thaws. "I was nervous last year, afraid to go in," says Bowman of her first experience with the store. "I thought they might be mean but they were real friendly."
At Household Goods, Bowman spends her 30 points on a set of bowls, dishes, a skillet set and four mugs. She then picks up some canned soup, fruits and vegetables and a loaf of bread. On the way to the used-toy department, a Christmas dinner package is dropped into Bowman's cart - a ham and all the fixings.
Her hostess scurries for another shopping cart, the first one is overflowing. Used Toys cost no points. Bowman can select one toy or puzzle, a game and one big stuffed animal or a couple of small fuzzy friends. Bowman eyes an imposing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, towering over the other toys. "Let's sit you down here," she says as she puts the turtle in a chair beside her and scans the shelves. She decides a small Kermit the Frog and clown might be more Edward's size and puts the turtle back. Edward also gets eight stocking stuffers sans spending points. His mom picks up some Matchbox cars.
"I know my baby's at least going to have all this for Christmas," she says as she and her hostess push two overflowing carts to check out.
That's when the Tech football team appears. Pandemonium breaks out in Kid's World.
"Paper! Paper! I need some paper!" one child screams, jumping up and down. Paper in hand, he heads for some autographs from the Sugar Bowl-bound Hokies.
Soon the team has infiltrated the building, some are handing out hams, some singing "Jingle Bells" to moms and dads in the waiting room, many are in Kid's World. Some have put on Christmas boxer shorts in the clothing department. Over their clothes, a group of disappointed nearby women learn.
Jennifer Jenkins, 26, is shopping for her 4-year-old son, Brice. She was a shopper last year but hopes a job promotion and subsequent raise at the gas station where she works will keep her out of the store next year.
"Hard work's finally starting to pay off," she says as she enters Boy's Clothing. "I'm starting to get back on my feet." She says the store helps out with clothes, but Brice has enough toys as it is. Relatives like Jenkins' grandparents help out.
"He really likes 'The Lion King,'" she says as she eyes an outfit in Brice's size 7, emblazoned with Simba's face. After selecting Brice's clothes, Jenkins spends the extra points she received for sorting toys and wrapping gift boxes weeks ago. She snags a couple of sweat shirts for herself, before going on to the used clothing section where all shoppers can fill up a bag free of charge.
"It makes me feel good," Jenkins says. "But it also makes me sad because I have to get somebody else's help."
The store was just $47 shy of its goal for opening night. Volunteers passed a bowl around to make up the difference. Volunteer Joyce Hendricks says donations are taken year-round.
Said another volunteer, "No matter what religion or spirituality these people come from, or if they don't have any - what we're doing here, this is important."
LENGTH: Medium: 97 linesby CNB