THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9412300222
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Holiday Helpline
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Susan Thomas couldn't come home for Christmas, so she mailed presents to her parents, who live in the Riverwalk neighborhood of Chesapeake, in two large boxes.
On Dec. 12, the packages were delivered to the home of Diana and David Ralston. Unfortunately, the Ralstons never received them.
A neighbor found torn and scattered packing boxes several blocks away and gave the family a call. There were lots of boxes but no presents. The gifts had been stolen.
According to Thomas' mother, her daughter is a law student at the University of California at Davis. Like most students, she is on a tight budget. But she still managed to buy her parents heavy, hooded, Davis University sweatshirts that they could wear on their exercise walks. Thomas also sent along some other carefully chosen family remembrances.
The Ralstons reported the theft of their Christmas packages to the Chesapeake police and to the U.S. Postal Service, who are investigating. According to David Ralston Sr., the authorities are also checking into several other package thefts that occurred in Riverwalk.
The Ralstons are offering a reward for information or for the return of their gifts. If you have any information about the stolen Davis sweatshirts, and other items, call 548-1104.
``It's not just the taking of the gifts, '' said Diana Ralston. ``It's also about the safety and peace of mind of our community.''
On the Wednesday before Christmas, six Chesapeake sheriff's deputies were out on a special mission.
The officers delivered holiday food baskets to about 55 families. Each contained all the fixings for a complete meal, including turkey and dessert.
The food baskets are just one of the annual projects of the Sheriff's Office's Elderly and Indigent Victims of Crime Assistance Program.
About 25 of a younger Chesapeake law-enforcement group were also reaching out to help others.
The Police Explorers took money they had earned by washing cars and other fund-raising projects and returned it to the community for the holidays. The Explorers provided food, clothes and toys so there could be Christmas for three local families.
The Police Explorers are young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 who are interested in law-enforcement careers. The post is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to provide young people with an introduction into law enforcement and an opportunity to participate in community-oriented projects.
Grover Davis, a fingerprint examiner and crime scene technician for the Chesapeake Police Department, is the post adviser.
Davis and the Explorers would also like to thank Great Bridge Cyclery for donating a brand new bicycle to them for delivery to a child on their list.
The staff of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar made Christmas for a number of children in the area. Mark Keith, kitchen manager, with the help of William Warfield and Candy Henning, organized the collection of toys for the CANDII House, a program for children with AIDS.
Keith also worked with Carlissa Strong and other Applebee's staff members to fill Santa's bag with radios, Barbie dolls, race tracks and other fun stuff for about 30 children in the Virginia Beach Care Program.
``The staff and even some restaurant guests pitched in with gifts and contributions,'' said Keith. ``We wanted to try to help those that are often overlooked.''
The Chesapeake Care Clinic would like to thank all the volunteers, businesses, civic organizations and clubs who donated equipment, money or time this year so that the clinic could treat many Chesapeake citizens who needed medical attention. MEMO: ``Holiday Helpline'' has been a regular feature of The Clipper
throughout the holiday season. If you know of someone who has helped 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