ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 19, 1995 TAG: 9512190035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: HAL SHEIKERZ STAFF WRITER
An empty Toys for Tots box in front of Wal-Mart three years ago has started a special gift-giving program in the New River Valley that's still growing.
Employees at Applebee's, Cracker Barrel, Ryan's Family Steakhouse and other area businesses are collecting toys, clothing and food for needy families during the holiday season.
Three years ago, Shanna Letner of Riner had each of her three kids buy toys and books to contribute to the Toys for Tots box outside Wal-Mart. At that time, only a few other gifts were in the box. But Letner told her kids to wait until the following week and "then there will be so many toys you won't be able to see yours."
She was wrong.
When they returned a week later, only waste cups and used toys were in the box.
The empty toy box led Letner start her own collection of toys and clothing for needy kids in the area. Since then, she's organized people where she works, arranging for them to "adopt" the families that groups like Community Action and Head Start say could use assistance during Christmas.
Letner said people are more likely to buy a gift through the "adoption" method because they actually have the name and age of a child.
This year, Applebee's, where Letner is a waitress, is helping 26 families, including 40 children. The names came from the Floyd County Head Start program.
Today there will be a party where Santa will distribute the gifts to the kids and families. In addition, this year, Letner's program also is collecting food for the families.
Employees at Ryan's are helping with the food drive and collecting winter clothing including gloves, hats and mittens.
Other businesses are participating in similar programs.
At the Cracker Barrel, employees are working to bring Christmas to people who wouldn't ordinarily have it, said Mariam Candler.
Candler is one of the team organizers at the restaurant, which has committed itself to 30 families that include 75 children. Candler said the group decided to adopt only 30 families this year so they could concentrate on giving more.
About 75 employees are contributing clothes and toys, which are distributed to the families and children directly.
Employees at Corning Inc. have participated in an Adopt-a-Christmas Family program since 1989, said Madge Duncan, human resource specialist.
This year, the company has adopted nine families. Duncan said the 250 employees at the plant try to provide the needy families with their Christmas wishes.
"Employees start asking about [the program] the first week of November," Duncan said.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB