THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9411300147
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CORRINE T. HARDISON, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Jonathan R. Schaier, a Western Branch chiropractor, organized his first food drive two years ago as a way of helping the less fortunate in his community while helping his patients.
Schaier is offering chiropractic service, including consultations, examinations, X-rays and treatment, through Saturday in return for donations of non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army.
The doctor got the idea for the project while working as a volunteer in shelters for the homeless as a student of The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, where he graduated in 1988.
``The first year we had a decent turnout, and last year was even bigger than we expected,'' he said.
A native of New York, Schaier and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Hampton Roads because of their love for the beach and a belief in strong family values, which they feel are so intrinsic to the area.
``Western Branch is a very close-knit community, and people here are terrific,'' he said. ``We couldn't have picked a better place to do what we do.''
Cheryl Schaier, who works as office manager for her husband's practice, agreed, remembering how pleasantly surprised they were when a member of the community stopped by one day shortly before their grand opening and offered to help them paint the waiting room.
``We thought that was so great!'' she said with a laugh.
``Every year we try to outdo the year before. There will be balloons, door prizes and refreshments. We try to make it a community celebration, and everyone seems to have a good time.''
Judging from the large amount of food collected in the past, Schaier said getting people to donate is the easiest part of the project. Some people show up for their appointments with grocery bags full of food. Others just come by to say hello and to drop off a donation.
New patients should call and set up appointments during office hours, which are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. There will be an open house for established patients from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
``What I love about chiropractic,'' said Schaier ``is that we get a chance to help people who cannot find help anywhere else.''
Schaier is licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine and the New York State Chiropractic Board and is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the Virginia Society of Chiropractic. MEMO: More information in available by calling Schaier at 483-6000. Donations
of non-perishable food may be made at the office at 3115 Western Branch
Blvd.
by CNB