
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 28, 1993                   TAG: 9312280051
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

APPLAUSE

As volunteer coordinator for Operation Santa Claus, Leesa Miller of Christiansburg organized buying, wrapping and labeling of personal gifts for 95 residents at the Southwestern Mental Health Institute in Marion this Christmas.

Armed with detailed information on each patient's clothing sizes, color preferences, hobbies and personal characteristics, she has distributed the information to local volunteers who shop and contribute gifts for each patient.

Miller gathered all the presents, checked sizes and colors, and bought more items if someone's gift box was not complete. The packages were then wrapped, boxed, labeled and sent to the hospital.

A 36-year-old mother of two, Miller has worked as a volunteer for the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley on this project for three years, and says it gets easier every year because the local community is becoming more aware of the program.

by CNB