THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230251
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
The last week before Christmas was busy, as Santas across Chesapeake continued to scurry about collecting toys, clothes and food gifts so that others will have Christmas.
Barbara O. Carraway, Chesapeake's city treasurer, and her staff have collected more than city taxes this year. Starting with the sale of homemade Easter Eggs last spring, they've had numerous fund-raisers for their Christmas fund, which finally totaled almost $2,000.
On Wednesday their truck, donated by Greenbrier U-Haul, was loaded with cartons packed with everything from orange juice to collards for 15 local families. There were also toys for 21 children.
``We were overwhelmed with the generosity of our community,'' said Carraway. ``So many people and businesses have helped, from large companies like K mart, who contributed $200, to George Olaf, who arrived with fresh collards and kale from his garden.''
Big Lots, Flowers Bakery, Food Lion, Little Earl's Supermarkets, Hardee's, Mister Jim's Sub, Wendy's, Dunkin' Donuts, Captain D's, College Park Skating Rink, Burger King, McDonald's, Zero's, Chick-Fil-A, Arby's, Rally's, Hot 'n' Now and Roses were other local merchants and sponsors who helped the treasurer's office purchase all the items on its shopping list.
Carraway and the 35 office staff members shopped, sorted, packed and wrapped and then some staff took annual leave time in order to personally make deliveries.
``There's so much pleasure in giving,'' said Carraway, ``and to see the expressions of the children's faces over cereal, marshmallows and drink pouches is our reward.''
About 30 years ago the choirs of St. Mark United Church of Christ Berkley, St. Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church, Providence United Church of Christ and First Baptist Church Westmunden formed the No. 4 Choir Union. The third Sunday of every month, the four choirs join for fellowship in song.
But this month they joined together in a project to feed the hungry. More than 2,000 fliers were circulated to area churches asking them to invite the hungry to last Saturday's dinner held at Providence United Church of Christ.
About 120 choir members planned, cooked, served and fed over 250 people a traditional Christmas feast. They even had enough food to take 30 dinners to a South Norfolk adult care home.
Each church gave money to help with the expense of the dinner. But, according to Lillian Ardis, the choir union president, they had so many food donations that they were able to give money back to each church.
``It was a wonderful turnout and a great joy to be able to help,'' said Ardis, ``but it's sad that so many people go hungry each day.''
The staff and administrators at the Edwards-Wilson Center, a school administration annex, shopped and wrapped gifts of clothes and toys so that 33 Chesapeake children would have an exciting Christmas morning.
``There was an outpouring of gifts and love this year,'' said Sandy Blackett. ``I've never seen anything like it.''
The Chesapeake Association of Educational Office Professionals called on Chesapeake schools for help in filling the gift list for the CANDII program for children with AIDS.
The association is made up of school secretaries, staff and office workers.
``The children need so much help,'' said Diane Cannady, the coordinator of the holiday help project. ``This is just a little way we can help such a serious problem.''
Cannady made the rounds of each participating school and collected clothes, toys, personal care products, diapers and other baby items.
Brenda Hodsdon coordinated the CANDII drive at Crestwood Middle School. The faculty and staff put together three boxes of formula, diapers and other baby supplies.
Crestwood Middle School has been busy with other helping activities, too. Sue Bowser, an eighth-grade teacher, sponsored the sale of bells to raise money for the Joy Fund.
The bells cost 25 cents each. On Wednesday the halls rang with the sounds of the holidays as the students got to wear their purchases to school.
Seventh-grade teacher Lin Singleton organized a two-week canned food drive. The boxes of food were picked up by the Chesapeake Fire Department for distribution by the Chesapeake Social Services Department.
Singleton was busy with the United Way, too. She helped the students take in about $400 in change for this year's school contribution.
``We have a good school, made up of caring students and staff,'' said Linda Byrd, principal. ``Everyone wanted to help others have a better holiday.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Devon Johnson, left, and Ben White of the Chesapeake Treasurer's
Office deliver boxes of food at MacDonald Manor.
by CNB