THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412200114
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
If the students at Larrymore Elementary School didn't know the true meaning of Christmas, they do now.
Many participated in the Toys for Joy Day on Dec. 16, and many left toys for underprivileged children. All toys collected will be donated to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This is the first year the school has participated in this program, which was made possible through Partners in Education.
``The idea was for the child to give up something they dearly loved to share with someone else,'' said Carol Webb, parent technician with Norfolk Public Schools for 24 years. Webb acts as a liaison between home and the school.
Many students learned the word sacrifice quickly. Hundreds of toys have accumulated under the school's Christmas tree since the school kicked off its Toys for Joy campaign Dec. 2. Toys collected were nearly new or in good working condition. Some of the children even parted with favorite toys.
``I liked this bunny. It had long, floppy ears. I hated to give it away, but I had so many stuffed animals I couldn't keep all of them,'' said Cassee Barnes, 9, a fourth-grader.
Jessica Carrier, 7, who collects Barbie dolls, gave one to the program. ``It was hard to give away, but it feels good to give it away,'' she said, beaming. ``I hope the little girl gets a good toy.''
One kindergarten student donated 75 items, mostly stuffed animals.
``I'm happy because I'm sharing them,'' said Amanda Blatnik, 5.
As part of the Toys for Joy Day, the students were encouraged to use their imagination to dress as their favorite toy. There were Barbies, a sugar plum fairy, a ballerina and even a candy cane.
The Toys for Tots program begins nationally Thanksgiving Day and is the largest distributor of toys in Hampton Roads. ``Everything that gets donated, 100 percent gets to the kids,'' said Staff Sgt. Milo R. Ferrin of MAG-42 Det. B NAS, Norfolk, and assistant coordinator for the command's Toys For Tots.
The Toys for Tots program is in its 47th year and began in 1947 when Marine Corps reservist Col. Bill Hendricks and his wife collected toys, repaired and distributed them locally to needy children. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
Staff Sgt. Milo R. Ferrin watches Larrymore Elementary students put
toys under the tree for those less fortunate.
Graphic
HOW TO DONATE
Anyone wishing to donate toys may call the Toys for Tots Warehouse
in Virginia Beach at 437-0428.
by CNB