THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230256
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Children's gifts will flood the altar of Monumental United Methodist Church Friday as part of ``Operation Santa Claus,'' a holiday project of Church Women United.
Since 1952, the ecumenical group has received from Social Services the names, ages and ``wish lists'' of children in the city's foster-care network.
``The children are allowed to name three items they would like to have,'' said Dorothy Hill.
Though not all requests can be met, church members use the lists to get an idea of what to shop for.
``It gives the children some chance to express what they would like to have and also gives the givers some ideas about what the child would like,'' said Hill.
Church Women United represents more than 20 churches in Portsmouth and Chesapeake.
Church groups and individuals volunteer to shop for the children, then bring the gift-wrapped and tagged presents to a different host church each year for a brief dedication ceremony.
The gifts are then presented to Social Services for distribution to the foster parents.
``It is just unbelievable to be there beforehand and see this in-pouring of gifts,'' said Hill of the service, which starts with a social hour at 10 a.m.
Each church raises the money for the gifts through donation drives and fund-raisers.
Hill called the ceremony ``very, very impressive.''
``By the time all of the gifts have been brought in and put at the altar, it's just a beautiful sight to see,'' she said.
``It's just kind of overwhelming to see the response that comes forth on behalf of the children.'' by CNB