Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 20, 1993 TAG: 9312210235
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Nancy Gleiner staff writer
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Hare family could go inside their house to get warm. Some children don't have that choice. Some of those children go to school with you.
In all of the excitement of the holidays, it's easy to forget that more kids become homeless every year and that more kids go to bed hungry every night and that more kids will be disappointed on Christmas morning this year.
But, hey, this isn't about making you feel sad and ruining your holidays. It's about letting you know that there are families out there who need you, even after the angel trees are taken down, the food baskets are delivered and the bell ringers at the supermarket have stopped asking for donations.
It's about sharing.
There are lots of children who are already helping others. On Christmas Eve, David and Denise Bailey and their three kids will be serving meals at RAM House, a shelter for the poor and homeless.
Trimble, Jacob and Molly Bailey's grandparents will bring them to the American Legion hall, where they all hand out presents and serve food to poor children who come for a Christmas party.
``I'm glad I have what I have, but I feel sorry for them, too,'' Molly, 8, said. She picked her very own angel this year.
This Christmas, instead of buying gifts for each other, Trimble, 16, and her friends decided to buy gifts for angels they chose from a tree. For the past two years, Trimble has been reading to kids in Community Hospital.
The poor are not the only ones who need help. Jacob, 13, rakes leaves and shovels snow for his elderly neighbors -- for free. ``It's nice to know you did something good for them,`` he said. During vacation, he plans to ``just go to their houses and keep them company.''
Once a month, Linda Thornton, a teacher at Community School in Roanoke, takes a group of middle school students to RAM House to set up for and serve lunch. Not only are they helping, but they've learned a lot, too.
``I never met a homeless person before. They've treated me very nicely,'' Mikhaela Payden-Travers said. ``It changed my whole impression about them.''
Brian Williams didn't even think there were homeless people in Roanoke. His experience at RAM House made him realize ``that it's not just people who have problems like alcohol or drugs. It could be someone who lost his job.''
``They seem like people who are just down on their luck,'' said Bobby Bursey. He said the people tell him they're very grateful for what he's doing.
One man told Jonathan Kurshan, ``Don't end up like me. Stay in school.'' When Jonathan sees children at RAM House, he understands now that some children are too poor to even get an education.
``It's sad because if their parents had a home, the kids would be like us,'' Lucas Thorton said.
``To give even just a little bit might help somebody,'' said Rylin LaPlante. She's helping to put together a list of places that donate food to RAM House so volunteers can pick it up.
After a while, the Hare family did go inside and warm up. They decided to send blankets, hats, gloves and socks to a man named Duane in California they'd heard about. Duane brings street kids he meets to a shelter there, feeds them and gives them something to help keep them warm.
``We decide how much to spend each year,'' said Lynn Hare, ``and put a jar on the table we can each add to.'' The family doesn't have a lot to spare and has to be careful how it spends its money, but they try to give to people ``in some shape or form throughout the year.''
The Hares also spend Thanksgiving and Christmas serving dinner at The Rescue Mission in Roanoke. ``If there wasn`t anybody to help, there would be no place for these people to get food,'' 12-year-old Anna said. ``And this gives them a chance to be with other people during a holiday.''
``I think how scary it must be living out on the street and not having a place to go,'' said Andrew, 9. ``I'm glad to be doing this.''
When you help someone else, it makes you feel good and good about yourself. Believe it or not, it really is better to give than to receive.
``Give what you've decided in your heart,'' Lynn Hare said.
Following is a list of gifts you can give:
As A Group
Get a ``wish list'' from a local shelter and collect items in your neighborhood. Lots of places need everyday things like soap, toothbrushes, towels, combs and brushes.
Organize a food drive when it's not a holiday.
Organize a clothing or toy drive. Most charities will pick up donations.
Alone:
Visit a nursing home or hospital. Help residents or patients write letters, do crafts, play games, take a walk or just keep someone company.
Adopt a grandparent and visit him or her regularly.
Make cards or drawings for nursing homes, hospitals or for people who can't get out often.
Read to someone who has vision problems.
Offer to help an elderly neighbor by raking leaves, shoveling now, mowing grass, going to the store.
Tutor younger children in your neighborhood.
Once you can read, help someone who can't.
Be a reading buddy. Share weekly reading time with younger kids.
Take care of pets while a neighbor is away.
Make a coupon book as a gift. Put together coupons you draw that are good for chores around the house, good behavior, help with a younger sister or brother, or even an extra hug.
As A Family
Serve meals at a local shelter.
Clean out closets together and donate give-away items.
Deliver ``meals on wheels'' to people who can't get out.
Offer to clean up a neighbor's yard who is not able to care for it himself.
Places to volunteer
(Many places have volunteers who are only 8 years old. Sometimes a parent has to be with you, though.)
Voluntary Action Center of the Roanoke Valley
League of Older Americans
American Red Cross
Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Local shelters (RAM House, The Rescue Mission, Salvation Army)
Senior citizens centers
by CNB