THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512070137
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
At its fourth annual community Christmas party, Spaghetti Warehouse closed its doors to paying lunchtime customers last Saturday to spread Christmas cheer to some less privileged Hampton Roads children.
The restaurant rolled out the red carpet for about 450 youth ages 4 to 11. Every bit of food prepared, every gift given, face painted, balloon blown and tray carried was donated by caring local companies, organizations and individuals, said Bob Duzey, general manager of the restaurant.
On the menu was 90 pounds of dry spaghetti, 75 gallons of spaghetti sauce, 1,500 homemade cookies, plus salad, popcorn and live entertainment, including old St. Nick.
Christmas carols played throughout the clamor of excited children and joyful adults who accompanied them. A festive mood permeated the dining area. Military, state, local police and sheriff's department officers shook hands with adults and mingled with and twisted balloons into funny shapes.
This event has become popular over the years and is rapidly growing to meet the increasing need. ``We see more and more coming,'' Duzey said. And as Spaghetti Warehouse has become more familiar with the area, it has identified more prospective participants. As a result, the list gets longer. This year local organizations bringing children to the party included churches, programs for at-risk elementary school students, the 4th Precinct Police Athletic League, police drug and crime prevention programs, recreation centers and Navy support groups.
``The service kids are always moving, so it's hard for them to get to know other kids,'' said Shelly Ackley, youth outreach education specialist at Navy Family Service in Norfolk. Through this new program, which helps at-risk youth, 30 children of Navy families were able to socialize with other youngsters at the party.
For 6-year-old Lakeara Jones of Virginia Beach, the best part of the day was eating, getting her face painted and receiving gifts. Franklin Tolbert, 10, said he liked the clowns who were blowing up balloons. A small group of Portsmouth fifth-graders saw a live magician for the first time. Chesapeake's Michael Barrow, 7, said he doesn't like spaghetti, but like most of the kids, he enjoyed Santa and the goodies he got.
``A lot of underprivileged kids are not exposed to things that regular kids get to see,'' said Master Police Officer Kelvin Darrough of the Virginia Beach Police Department's PAL program. ``This makes them realize that there are people out there who care (and) that promotes their self-worth.''
The volunteers, too, shared in the holiday spirit, receiving as much as they gave.
``It's self-rewarding to see the kids having fun,'' said Holly Jarrell, a Tallwood High School senior, who carefully balanced glasses on a tray above inattentive roving tots. ``It makes you happy to know you made a child smile.''
And smile they did while they gawked at the tuxedo-clad magician doing card tricks, sat motionless as Christmas trees were drawn on their faces or hugged Santa.
``This is something they look forward to,'' said Rhenda McLean, recreation aide at Grandy Village, a Norfolk recreation center. ``This is the only gift they may get for Christmas.'' MEMO: In addition to the community, staff and business volunteers who donated
time and products, others contributing to the holiday party for children
were McDonald's Restaurant at Haygood, Lillian Vernon Corp., Marine Air
Control Squadron 24 at Dam Neck, Toys for Tots by the Marine Corps
Reserve, Frances Cake, Khedive Temple Clown Unit, Yard Cards by Mimi,
Bobby the Clown, Bauer Compressors, Merman the Magician and the Norfolk
Sheriff's Office.
ILLUSTRATION: ABOVE: Recee Parker, left, Crystal Smith and Rosa Speller, all
from the 4th Precinct Police Athletic League, surround Beach police
officer Kelvin Darrough.
RIGHT: Olive Branch Elementary students Candice Jackson, left, and
Jessie Johnson enjoy clown ``Shawn Huddle.''
by CNB