Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 7, 1993 TAG: 9312070085
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Kathleen Wilson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church provided the facilities, the Shenandoah Baptist Church Choir provided the music, and most of the people bustling around preparing and serving food were from the Central United Methodist Church.
For many of the people with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, the holiday party is one the few times they get to leave a nursing home.
"I look forward to coming here every year to see how people are doing," said Freda Hunter. She's had MS for more than 20 years now.
She met her husband of five years, Jimmy, through the chapter. Jimmy, who's had MS for nine years, communicates the only way he can right now: with his bright smile.
Michael Sullivan, who's almost 6, stood at the back of the room wearing bright red pants. He was helping to direct the Shenandoah Baptist Church Choir with a baton he'd made by connecting two straws.
"God gave him the gift of music," admitted his grandmother, Cassandra Lewis, who is Jimmy and Freda's nurse.
Ed Stansbury sort of runs the show, gathering volunteers wherever he can. "Once you're on my list, you practically have to die to get off," he joked.
William Fleming High School students prepared the feast of turkey, ham, stuffing, crescent rolls and pumpkin pie.
Earlier this year, these students donated the $500 prize they won in a Culinary Oscars contest to the MS Society. The national competition was sponsored by Newman's Own products and Good Housekeeping magazine.
Many of those who give their time and energy are members of Ed's church, Central United Methodist. That's where he recruited Bob and Brenda Bower.
"I have cancer," admitted Brenda. "And people wonder why I'm here." At least there's hope for a cure for cancer, she explained. At the present time, multiple sclerosis remains incurable.
Bob Bower helps out when he can repairing wheelchairs for the organization.
Ed's wife, Donna, has had MS for nearly 30 years. He remembers the times she was unable to communicate or move. "That could happen again like that," he said, shaking his head.
He points her out with pride. She was buzzing around, visiting with others in the room. She's a vivacious woman who greets you with a hug and holds your hand in both of hers when you talk with her.
"When you walk away from this dinner each year," she said, "you know it really is Christmas."
\ On my way back to the newspaper after the MS multidenominational holiday dinner, I followed a green car down Grandin Road.
Its vanity license plate read: "Luke1 37."
After meeting Bob and Brenda, Jimmy and Freda, Ed and Donna, the Bible verse turned out to be an appropriate one:
"For with God, nothing is impossible."
\ The Sunday afternoon gathering for the Conflict Resolution Center at Hollins College's Ballator Gallery has the best food!
Montano's, Brothers Bakery and Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea provided the eats.
But the dessert tray donated by the Wildflour Cafe was incredible.
"Don't tell me the raspberry tortes are all gone!" said one woman, rather alarmed, but reaching for one of the many truly decadent chocolate goodies.
This fund-raiser for the center also included a silent auction.
I go to a lot of silent auctions. But this one scores big for having really neat stuff.
John Sabean read the list of winners at the end of the auction.
Larry Eggers got the erector set donated by Imagination Station. Judy Freeman walked away with a free book collection appraisal by Chris Gladden and a glider flight with Dr. Isaac VanPatten.
A battle raged among women for the $75 gift certificate at Millie & Company.
But the war for the Steuben bowl was wicked.
Bob and Susie Fetter donated the bowl. On the auction sheet, it listed its value at $50, with a minimum first bid of $7.50.
Yeah, right. Steuben, huh?
I wasn't the only one to pick it up to see if it was signed. It was!
The auction sheet was incorrect. The bowl was actually valued at $250.
Holly Peters picked it up it for $95.
by CNB