THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020138
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
OPERATION MERRY Christmas, sponsored by the Franklin Jaycees, distributes toys to children in Franklin and Southampton County and food baskets to senior citizens on fixed incomes in those localities and part of Isle of Wight County.
``We really need monetary donations,'' said Jim Drewry, who has chaired the food distribution project for about five years.
The number of families helped and the amount in each food basket may have to be cut this year, he said.
``Each year, we ought to be able to do a little more, not less,'' Drewry said.
The Jaycees also provide help for families who need fuel assistance and make monetary donations to area nursing homes - East Pavilion in Franklin and the Courtland Health Care Center. And on Christmas Eve, they deliver gifts to patients in Southampton Memorial Hospital.
``It's never too late to donate,'' Drewry said. ``We help primarily at Christmas but also throughout the year.''
To help, bring canned goods or a new or used toy in good condition to the Jaycees headquarters in the Franklin Plaza Shopping Center.
Checks payable to the Franklin Jaycees O.M.C. may be delivered to the headquarters or mailed to P.O. Box 183, Franklin, Va. 23851.
For more information, contact any Jaycee member or call the headquarters at 562-0191 or Drewry at 562-4746. Tree of Lights
Proceeds from this project of the Southampton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will go toward a new mammography unit at the Franklin hospital. This is the second year of the two-year project, and the goal is $75,000, said Auxiliary chairman Chandler Hotchkiss.
Lights on the tree may be purchased in honor or memory of someone or in support of the hospital, she said. Tree lights are $5 and lights in the star are $100.
To purchase a light, call Hotchkiss at 562-2337 or stop by the hospital at 104 Fairview Drive. Forms are available at the front desk and in the gift shop. Social Services
The Franklin department supplies names of needy families to the Franklin Jaycees, the Salvation Army, church groups, schools and the American Legion.
Donations of food, toys or money may be given directly to the Jaycees or Salvation Army, said Carl Lance, director. Or to select a family, call Lance at 562-8520.
The Southampton County department assists between 400 and 500 children at Christmas. The social workers make sure the names of all children who receive assistance through the Aid to Dependent Children program are placed on an Angel Tree so they will receive a present. Others who request assistance are also helped, said Betty Moore, who coordinates the Christmas drive.
``The people just open up and do everything,'' she said. ``Nobody ever calls who isn't remembered.''
Many churches, stores, banks, doctors' offices and other businesses often help by providing gifts for individual children.
To help, call Moore at 653-3080. MEMO: [For a related story, see page 14 and 16 of The Sun for this date.]
by CNB