THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 1996 TAG: 9609240158
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 56 lines
George and Nancy Reichert usually spend September and October collecting goods for their nonprofit organization, Virginia's Children.
They have collected hundreds of Christmas trees, toys, dinners and other donations for needy families for the past five years.
This year, however, they had a crisis of their own to handle in the midst of organizing holiday donations.
Nancy Reichert, 39, broke her neck in a car accident on Sept. 8. Hospitalized for nearly a week, she is now couch-bound with orders from her therapist not to walk more than 50 feet.
Still, the injury and the trauma of the accident haven't stopped the mother of two from looking to fulfill other children's holiday dreams. In fact, the accident has made her more determined to help others.
``I really have a lot to be thankful for,'' said Nancy Reichert, who lives with her husband, called Tony, and children in Red Wing. ``A lot of people thought we were dead (at the scene). You don't realize how much you appreciate
Reichert is just now able to talk a little about the accident which threw her and a family friend out of the vehicle and onto the road. Reichert skidded 50 feet, she said. Aside from breaking her neck, she also received stitches in several areas and her left leg was left nearly skinless.
Undaunted by pain, Reichert is on the family's couch - propped up by pillows - phone book, pen and paper in hand, making calls for donations.
``I'm trying to get a jump on the season since this is all I can do right now,'' she said.
Reichert is on the phone several hours a day, enlisting volunteers and donations of goods for families in need. She's also trying to run her painting business from home while her husband works full time at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
Last year, the Reicherts gave away some 300 Christmas trees and 200 wreaths. The year before, the numbers were even higher.
The Reicherts, who moved to the area seven years ago from Blacksburg, started their charitable ways when they heard of a family in need several years ago. The family with four children had hit hard times - both parents were out of work and Christmas was just around the corner. The Reicherts decided to help them out by buying them a Christmas tree and toys for the kids. After helping the first family, they decided they would continue to help as many people as they could each year.
Often, they're silent benefactors.
``My husband believes the greatest gift of giving is giving to someone who doesn't know,'' said Reichert.
They plan to keep on giving, even when it hurts. MEMO: For information on Virginia's Children or to volunteer, call
437-1914. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Nancy Reichert's injury hasn't stopped her work. by CNB