The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996                TAG: 9601050188
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR-THE VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON

Community earns thanks for helping victims of fire

On Dec. 10, 1995, my son L'l John and I were asleep in our duplex apartment when smoke woke me up. My apartment was on fire! I got my son up and went next door to get the people in the next apartment out, too. While it turned out that my neighbor's apartment was all right, my home was destroyed.

Word got out through a friend, Gina, who started a savings account for me and my son. All throughout the area, people began bringing things to help us out. The great fifth-grade class at St. Gregory went into their piggy banks and gave my son and me $51.75, which they collected to help us out.

I am writing because I wanted to thank the whole city of Virginia Beach for their help. We also would like to thank the Red Cross for all their help in finding us a place to stay. Everyone has just been wonderful.

Julie and L'l John Burks

Norfolk Thanks for the support

The Board of Directors of the Equi-Kids Therapeutic Riding Program wishes to extend its thanks to the many individuals and businesses who have supported our program in 1995.

Volunteers gave hundreds of hours assisting with the riding lessons, caring for the program's horses and ponies and fund-raising. We would not exist without them. With their help we were able to serve over 40 riders for each of the five sessions of lessons. Many of these riders are showing on local and state levels thanks to their efforts!

Thanks to the dedicated parents and students of Equi-Kids. Thanks to the owners of loaned horses and ponies who give so much joy to these children and adults! Beginning in January, full-time staffing will become a reality for the first time in our history and we are excited that our waiting list clients (over 90) will be incorporated into the lesson schedule soon thereafter.

We would also like to thank the many local civic organizations, individuals and businesses who made donations to Equi-Kids both financial and in-kind.

Barbara S. Ford

Executive director,

Equi-Kids by CNB