THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407260138
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
One woman accused him of being a fraud because he wasn't wearing a Santa Claus suit. Several people asked, ``You're starting a little early this year, aren't you?''
But for the most part, people have been generous, said Rusty Cunanan, a volunteer with the Salvation Army.
The non-profit organization ran its first ``Christmas in July'' program last week to help raise money for the needy. Cunanan rang the customary bell in front of the Super Fresh in College Park on a Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Although people mostly tossed in their spare change, Cunanan did get some dollar bills, the Navy dental technician said.
The program ran from July 18 to July 23. Last week, more than $2,000 was raised by bell-ringers working at 17 different stations in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, said Cynthia Gerard, developmental associate for the Salvation Army in Norfolk.
Bell-ringers worked at Wal-Marts, K marts, Waterside, Military Circle Mall and Pembroke Mall, Gerard said.
``The idea is that need has no season,'' Gerard said. ``Most people associate Salvation Army with Christmas time. People are just more in tune with giving during the holiday season.''
David and Melinda Nimmer, a Virginia Beach couple, spent four hours at Waterside ringing the bell.
``I think people were a little surprised,'' David Nimmer said. ``We had a very friendly response to it.
Typically, the Salvation Army raises about $180,000 during its Christmas season of bell-ringing outside stores and in malls, said Betty Liston, business administrator for the Salvation Army.
But Liston is not discouraged with the ``Christmas in July'' donations.
``This is a new thing for us, and we just wanted to see how it would go,'' she said. ``People have been very cooperative.''
Another part of the project was encouraging food donations, Liston said.
As part of the ``Christmas in July'' program, boxes were set up at 32 Food Lions in three Hampton Roads cities. MEMO: To volunteer for the Salvation Army, contact Betty Liston, 622-7275.
by CNB