THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512190075
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SOPHIE MOSLEY
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Being the Christmas season, the season of giving, we cannot forget the ones with less. Especially this time of year, when it means so much to try to be sure everyone in our little corner of the world is taken care of.
And a lot of people are doing their best to do just that.
The Kiwanis Club of Smithfield is sponsoring the Isle of Wight Christmas Fund for the 19th consecutive year. This year, they will give more than 400 children a happier Christmas, but without help from us they could not do it. You can send a contribution to the Isle of Wight Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 114, Isle of Wight, Va. 23397. A small contribution multiplied by many individuals can make such a difference.
Another good cause is the Joy Fund sponsored by The Virginian-Pilot. The Isle of Wight County Social Services Department has given the fund a list of 190 families and the names of 340 children. Please find it in your hearts to think of them. You may stop by or send mail to The Pilot's Smithfield office at 1613 S. Church St., Smithfield, Va. 23430. We will publish your name and, if it's a group contribution, the name of the organization. All money donated goes to help these families and children.
And let's not forget our four-legged friends. A special Christmas tree is set up at the Smithfield Antiques Center on Main Street. Any donation, - such as dog and cat food, bowls and leashes - will be appreciated.
It's so easy to list these organizations and ask you to give, and I know some of you feel that charity begins at home and that money is tight. I have to admit that I, too, have felt that way. But I have been involved with United Way and personally have seen the good it has done.
And recently our office was touched by the story of Blanche Braswell and the senseless destruction at the 88-year-old's Windsor home. Calls from all over Hampton Roads came to our Smithfield office the day her story came out and every day since then. A fund was set up at Farmers Bank, c/o Patti Webb, P.O. Box 285, Windsor, Va. 23487. People like Ron Swan and his wife in Virginia Beach donating living room furniture. Faye Timm of Chesapeake brought a beautiful rocker to us to give to her. David Wise, of Wise Auto & Tire Center, helped donate a U-Hall trailer to pick up the furniture. Countless other people donated money and items for her.
I have experienced the act of giving, and I cannot describe the good feeling you get from it. There is also a ripple effect. A husband catches it from his wife, children from their parents, students from a teacher and on and on. This year think of Blanche Braswell, or a child whose name is listed with Social Services or a poor pooch at the shelter - and give up a few cups of coffee, an allowance, a lunch or dinner.
I guarantee you it will be worth it.
This year's United Way slogan was ``Angels Among Us.'' Be an angel this year and think of the less-fortunate here in our county.
And, Season's Greetings to all of our friends, neighbors, business associates and subscribers from the staff at The Citizen. We are here to serve, and we look forward to being a part of this beautiful community in 1996. MEMO: Sophie Mosley is the circulation staff assistant in the Smithfield
office of The Virginian-Pilot. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARIE ROBINSON
Wishing our readers Season's Greetings are Virginian-Pilot and
Citizen staffers, from left: Jody Snider, Linda McNatt, Grace Brown,
Allison Williams and Sophie Mosley.
by CNB