THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512190071
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
FLYNN KERN WILL NEVER forget Christmas 1990. It was the year a mother and her two children were able to celebrate because Kern and others from the Real Smithfield Jaycees delivered gifts and food to their door.
``She smothered me with hugs and tears,'' Kern says. ``She said her children wouldn't have had a Christmas if it wasn't for us. It really pulled at my heartstrings.''
Kern has been helping people through the Jaycees since 1989, and she is involved with the food drive again this year. About 10 county families will benefit from this year's effort, she says.
``It's great to give somebody who doesn't have much a nicer Christmas. It makes for a better community.''
But collecting food isn't the only thing Kern does. Not by a long shot.
She also chaired the eighth annual Real Smithfield Jaycees' Christmas Parade this year.
And she helps sell Christmas trees in the Food Lion parking lot in Smithfield. Money from that project will go toward future community projects.
For Kern, each and every project with the Jaycees is a labor of love. Each month, she spends about 30 hours working on various club tasks.
``I lead a busy life. I don't get a lot of sleep, but you find the spare time that you have and you give that. You have to have good time management.''
In January, Kern will begin juggling her schedule again for yet another activity with the Jaycees. This time, they will be raising money to send mentally handicapped children in the county to Camp Virginia for one week this summer.
Last year, it cost $250 per child, she says, and anywhere from two to five children go each year from Isle of Wight.
``It gives the parents a break. And the kids are able to experience some freedom and feel like maybe they're not so different after all.''
Name: Flynn Kern
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? My parents moved to Carrollton 20 years ago.
Birthdate: March 10, 1966
What's your fondest childhood memory? Summer vacations with my family.
Marital status and children: Married to Scott; 8-year-old stepson, Brandon. I'm also due to have a baby in June.
Pets: Two dogs
What was your first job/worst job? Sales clerk/never had a bad job.
Occupation: Sales associate for Contel Cellular GTE mobilnet.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Full-time mom.
What's your favorite hangout? Cozzy's Comedy Club in Newport News.
Favorite night out on the town? Dinner and a movie.
Favorite food/drink: Seafood and Diet Mountain Dew.
Favorite Movies/TV show: ``Beaches'' and ``ER.''
Book you wish everyone would read: The Bible.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? A trip to Aruba.
I can't resist: Chocolate.
Few people know that . . . I am really shy.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? Retire.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``To work hard, be dedicated, and your dreams will come true,'' from my parents.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? My personality.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? Barbara Bush because of all the good she's done for people. And now that she's a former first lady, she's still helping people. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN SHEALLY II
Flynn Kern
by CNB