THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 6, 1995 TAG: 9501040121
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 01B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KRYS STEFANSKY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters is an opportunity - no matter where it happens.
The Princess Anne Circle of The King's Daughters received an award at its holiday banquet for giving the most volunteer hours of any circle last year.
Later, in the middle of the group's celebration, after plates were cleaned and napkins refolded, a patron at another table in the Lynnhaven Fish House walked over. She timidly interrupted Essie D. Kerley, the Princess Anne Circle's leader for the past 12 years.
``Could I have one of your angels?'' the woman asked, pointing at the table decorations. Mrs. Kerley, who is always ready to help her favorite charity, thought for just a split second, then said, ``Make a donation to the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and you can have one.''
The woman left with an angel and with a satisfied smile. The club president folded up a $5 bill destined for the hospital.
Mrs. Kerley and her group are not the typical circle in the Norfolk City Union of The King's Daughters. Princess Anne is made up of elderly members, some of whom have known each other since before the circle was formed in 1962. Most are older than 70, two are in their 90s. Last year they gave 3,355 volunteer hours to the hospital and outdid other circles made up of much younger women in a union that is 1,600 strong.
Circles in the Norfolk City Union raised more than $926,000 for the hospital last year. Beth M. Duke, the hospital's senior vice president for development and community relations said volunteer hours save the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars.
``It's wonderful to have community groups who pour out their heart and soul for us,'' Duke said.
But aside from gentle arm-twisting at moments too good to pass up, the Princess Anne Circle isn't active in fund-raising anymore. It is one of five circles in the Norfolk union whose membership consists of women older than 70. But, said Angela M. Blackwell, president of the Norfolk union, age has little to do with what members can contribute to the hospital in terms of volunteerism. There is still the gift of time.
``We have a lot of ways to serve no matter what stage of life you're in,'' said Blackwell. She called the Princess Anne circle's accomplishments last year ``extraordinary.''
They accumulated their hours largely by sewing teddy bears for youngsters undergoing surgery at the hospital. When the hospital called in mid-November asking for more bears, the circle had 100 ready to go.
The circle began with only about eight interested people. Goldie Bonney, 92, and Margaret Braithwaite, 84, are charter members. ``Goldie and I were both nurses and we just asked people we knew. I picked on people from my church. That's kind of wicked, isn't it,'' said Mrs. Braithwaite, eyes twinkling.
The sewing projects began soon after the circle formed. The women stitched soft balls for babies with muscular deficiencies. They made ``churchbabies,'' braided dolls that made no noise, and muslin dolls surgeons used to explain what would happen during a child's operation. They knitted infant booties and children's slippers and needle-pointed three-dimensional black and white blocks used for optical exercises with infants.
The block alone takes 25 hours to finish, said Velta I. Peterson, 86. She was recently awarded a pin for 10,500 volunteer hours. She is the group's historian.
The ladies meet in each others' homes on the fourth Tuesday of each month, sometimes calling on the help of daughters and friends to help prepare or serve snacks. Those who still drive pick up others who don't.
After 32 years together, they still refer to each other as ``girls,'' even noting that one ``girl,'' who was 101, died last year.
Over the years, the formal portion of the meeting has taken on its own flavor, said Karla Beasley, who is the group's ``baby'' at 66.
``It's getting more interesting. A lot of them are older and hard of hearing and during the meetings holler, `What?' '' said the Point Of Woods resident, chuckling. ``But Essie handles it well. She brings her bell.''
After so much time, and even attending the funerals of several of their members, Mrs. Peterson said the ladies stay together for companionship. Many are widows. Shared life experiences have let them form a close sisterhood.
``I've been a member 24 years and I have yet to hear the first piece of gossip ever,'' said Mrs. Peterson. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Mrs. T. G. Braithwaithe, left, and Mrs. Lysle Peterson chat during a
luncheon of the Princess Anne Circle of The King's Daughters.
Most of the members of the Princess Anne Circle are older than 70.
Last year they donated the most volunteer hours of any circle.
CLUB WOMEN
[For a list of the 15 members, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB