THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512070135
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
When hundreds of runners gather at the Botanical Garden in Norfolk Saturday, they'll be doing more than getting in an early morning jog.
Their entry fees could allow a teenage girl to have dinner in a restaurant for her 16th birthday or pay for a group of adolescents to rent a couple of movies over the weekend.
Participants in the 5K Santa Shuffle will traverse the 3.2-mile course for the benefit of the Regional Group Home and the Crisis Intervention Center.
The two Beach facilities serve troubled youths and their families and are part of seven such havens administered by the Tidewater Regional Group Home Commission in southside Hampton Roads.
The proceeds generated by the race are sorely needed, said Denise Mullins, director of the Regional Group Home on Virginia Beach Boulevard for the past 10 years. The young people arrive at the Regional Group Home, which had 13 residents the week prior to the race, for a variety of reasons. They can be placed there because of legal, familial, substance abuse and related difficulties. They are placed by judges and come from all socio-economic groups. The goal is to integrate the children back into the family and strong parental support is encouraged.
While the homes have operating funds, what is lacking is money to provide some of the ``extras'' that most children take for granted - a birthday dinner out, a chance to go hiking or camping, a movie.
``We now have $400 a year for all the kids for entertainment,'' Mullins said. ``A video rental is $2, so you can see the situation we're in.''
The money will serve other purposes, too. Some will go toward therapeutic retreats, camping trips and such. The homes also spend about $2,000 during the summer months on a stipend fund to pay residents for their work.
Mullins and the staff of the two homes started planning the race last January. They got support from many local businesses and collaborated with the Tidewater Striders in organizing the event. ``The support we've received from the business community has been very gratifying,'' said Mullins. ``Their generosity has allowed us to offer prizes - great prizes.'' The prizes include dinners at Carver's Creek, the Airport Hilton, Chi-Chi's and Outback Restaurant, as well as other area hotel certificates and donations from other businesses. Also, the first 300 runners who sign up get a long-sleeve T-shirt, she said.
A week before the event, 150 runners had registered. Mullins expected about 500 by race time. The fees are $15 for individuals and $12 per person for families. The home is also selling raffle tickets. The lucky winner will enjoy a weekend at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center with brunch at the Corner Market.
The group, which gets help throughout the year from Oceanfront Rotary Club, Eastern Shore Chapel and City Union of The King's Daughters and Sons, hopes to realize $5,000 from the run. ``Next year, we'd like to double that amount,'' Mullins added. MEMO: For more information, call 422-5044 or 422-4521.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Pete Tempest, acting director of Crisis Intervention Home, and
Denise Andros-Mullins, director of Regional Group Home, have
received support from many local businesses in arranging prizes for
the event.
by CNB