THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090259
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
It's two weeks until Christmas, and the spirit of the season can be felt throughout Chesapeake.
When you go to the library, take along a can of dog food, a can of vegetables or a gift because there's lot of Christmas activity there.
Girl Scout Jr. Troop 973 has put up a Christmas tree at the Central Library on Cedar Road, but there are no fancy packages under this tree. There are only dog biscuits, cat treats and sacks of pet food.
The Girl Scouts are asking for pet food and treats to be placed under the tree for donation to the Chesapeake Animal Control Shelter.
The Chesapeake Christmas Committee, sponsored by city employees, also has a food donation bin at the library.
In addition, the library staff is collecting food, toys and clothes for three families that library employees have adopted for the holiday season.
If each library patron brought just one can of pet food or one food item, the contributions would have a significant impact, reported Chuck Anderson, the director, because the library has about 10,000 visitors each week.
Hickory Elementary School would like to thank all those that helped make their `Breakfast With Santa' and `Santa's Secret Shop' an overwhelming success,'' declared Cheryl Wilson, requisition chairman of the school's Parent-Teacher Association. ``The community support and donations were beyond belief.''
More than 200 guests attended the Saturday morning breakfast. Afterward, the children went shopping for their parents at Santa's Secret Shop, where gifts ranged in price from 25 cents to $2.
``The children not only got the thrill of selecting a special gift, but they helped others because the proceeds go to the needy in the community,'' said Wilson.
Hickory helpers were Farm Fresh, Video Express, Pet Dairy, McDonald's of Great Bridge, Ann's Hallmark, Pizza Vera, Over the Rainbow, National Engraving, Nauticus, The Hampton Roads Admirals, Connie's Kids, Mary Perkins, Hickory Farms, Flowers Baking Co., Sam's Club, Ruby Tuesday, International House of Pancakes, Lillian Vernon and the Marriott Hotel.
This afternoon Santa has an invitation to a party in Western Branch. Doris Gainer, owner of Western Branch Stables, has also invited guests of ``Our House'' and ``Safe Haven,'' two local shelters, to the party.
Stable hands and horse owners are the elf helpers at this event. There will be pony and horse rides, martial arts demonstrations, a storyteller and plenty to eat. Santa will lighten his sleigh by passing out gifts to all the guests.
``Our wish is that all the guests of `Our House' and `Safe Haven' will find a home not only for the holidays but for the rest of the year,'' said Gainer.
Call 545-4075 to find out how you can help ``Our House.''
You can help Chesapeake's Fun Forest project while dining at three fine restaurants and enjoying a trolley ride and a walking tour of a marvelous lighting display. Just be at the The Classic Connection at Seven Springs Golf Club at 6 o'clock tonight.
Besides the Classic Connection, there will be stops at Cara's Restaurant and Kelly's Tavern for treats. From there the trolley-riders will go to the Founders Inn for a walking tour of the lighting displays and a peek at other holiday decorations.
Tickets are $30, and all proceeds benefit Fun Forest, the three-acre children's playground scheduled to be built at Chesapeake City Park next May.
Sponsors for the Holiday Trolley Tour are Cavalier Ford, La Petite Academy, Norfolk Dredging Co. and the Professional Firefighters of Chesapeake, Local 2449. More information or ticket reservations are available by calling Lisa Boyd at 548-2669.
The Double Deuce Lounge is grateful to Huntsman Chemical Corp. for the sleighful of toys donated to the Double Deuce's Christmas party for children in its neighborhood. MEMO: ``Holiday Helpline'' will be a regular feature of The Clipper throughout
the holiday season. If you know of someone who is helping to make the
season brighter for others, let us know by calling 547-9761 or by
sending the information to The Clipper, 921 N. Battlefield Blvd.,
Chesapeake, Va. 22320.
by CNB