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

DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996              TAG: 9602230435
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   57 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A MetroNews story Friday about Al and Georgia Saunders of Suffolk said the couple apparently was the first in Hampton Roads to be honored, as a couple, as First Citizen. Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones, founders of the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, were Norfolk's First Citizens for 1988. Correction published in The Virginian-Pilot, Tuesday, February 27, 1996, on page A2. ***************************************************************** IN SUFFOLK, COUPLE'S DEEDS WIN THEM HONOR AS FIRST CITIZEN GEORGIA AND AL SAUNDERS ``LIVE AND ACT AS A TEAM.''

In an apparent first for Hampton Roads - and certainly a first for Suffolk - a couple has been selected as First Citizen.

Georgia and Al Saunders of the Chuckatuck community were surprised with the honor Thursday night by representatives of the Cosmopolitan Club, which has sponsored the award for 40 years.

The Saunderses, of Kings Highway, will be honored at a banquet March 23. A letter nominating them said, ``They live and act as a team, and it is impossible to determine what accomplishment should be attributed to whom.''

The author cited ``quiet giving of themselves to their neighbors,'' including these acts:

Georgia Saunders' ``wonderful homemade soup,'' made with vegetables grown by her husband; and his ``beautifully browned'' chicken, delivered to the sick or lonely. Their purchase of four tickets to such events as concerts and plays so neighboring widows can accompany them to dinner and the events.

His delivery of truckloads of split firewood to needy families.

They ``exemplify all the traits we associate with strong family values,'' the writer said.

Al Saunders is former president of Saunders Supply Co., a building materials business, on Godwin Boulevard. They are active members of Oakland Christian Church.

They have worked in many civic clubs and groups, including the Chuckatuck Ruritan Club, Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Chuckatuck Library, Friends of the Library.

The Saunderses, who have been married for almost 50 years, have ``walked humbly and with humility'' in rearing their family and supporting their church and community, the writer said.

The honors banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 23, at the Holiday Inn on Pruden Boulevard.

Tickets, $20, are available at Commerce Bank, Main Street; Bank of Suffolk, Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center; Sentry Mart No. 1, Pruden Boulevard; Village Drugs on Kings Highway; or by calling Ed Gray at 539-2283. by CNB