THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412160252
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
``It's our greatest hope that `Our House' will be empty for the holidays,'' said Yolanda McDonald, the director of the only shelter for homeless families in Chesapeake.
``We would like for our guests to able to have a home for Christmas.'' said McDonald.
The 100-year-old, three-bedroom house in South Norfolk can accommodate up to three families for about 30 days. There are two families living there now.
``The purpose of the shelter is to provide a safe, caring environment while the guests attempt to recover or make adjustments from whatever crises brought them there,'' explained McDonald.
They also provide classes on nutrition, budgeting, parenting, self-esteem and self-improvement.
According to McDonald, everything from the copy machine to the sheets on the beds have been donated to the shelter.
Even the maintenance - from paint to plumbing - is contributed. The crew of the USS Bainbridge has adopted the shelter, and when the ship is in port the sailors take care of repairs.
``When you think of homeless now, you must think of children,'' said McDonald. ``We are seeing more and more displaced families often with several children.''
This year ``Our House'' has provided shelter to 122 people, 77 of whom have been children.
In 1990 the shelter was unable to accommodate 651 requests for shelter. In 1993, the number grew to 1,812 requests. As of November 1994, the shelter has turned down 1,999 requests for a safe place to stay because of unavailable bed space.
``We have a need for corporate sponsors and annual financial contributors,'' said McDonald. ``We also have a real need for low-income housing through private owners.''
There's also always a need for household cleaning supplies, towels, wash cloths, linen and office supplies, she said.
If you would like to help ``Our House,'' send a contribution to Community Resource Network, P.O. Box 15098, Chesapeake, Va. 23328. Designate the check for ``Our House'' or call McDonald at 545-4075.
Boy Scout Troop 55 is busy collecting food to be distributed to local families who need assistance during the holiday season.
Roy Garrett, Scoutmaster, and Clay Adams, junior assistant Scoutmaster, and 28 Scouts will meet at Oak Grove United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Monday to assemble food baskets.
If you would like to help the Scouts provide families with a Christmas dinner, drop off a food gift at the church or call Adams at 436-1931.
Children Helping Children is this year's project for Great Bridge Intermediate School.
``We have seen a greater neighborhood need,'' said Becky Adams, principal of the school, ``so this year we are helping seven families in our school have Christmas.''
``It has been a collaborative effort to help our own children,'' said Dru Ford, a fifth-grade teacher. ``The entire school from the Student Council Association, Parent-Teacher Association, staff and students have been working since the beginning of December to ensure that Santa gets to every child and to each family member.''
This is the fourth year that Ford has coordinated the school's holiday help.
The students have made posters and collection boxes for the halls. The youngsters even make morning announcements reminding their friends to bring toys or canned goods.
Cov Pack and Amy Spangler, counselors, have packed food baskets and checked off lists as toys, clothes, books, school supplies and food items have arrived.
The food drive has been so successful that the Chesapeake Fire Department has been by to pick up the overflow to pass on to the city's Social Services Department for distribution. Extra toys and clothes will also be given to Social Services.
Janet Grubbs, cafeteria manager, knows that every penny can help. She has set up a jar in the lunchroom to collect nickels and dimes. The money will be given to the PTA to be used for the families.
Call Great Bridge Intermediate School at 482-4405 to be a part of their holiday effort.
Children Helping Children also got some help from several local Girl Scout troops.
Jessica Wehling of Junior Girl Scout Troop 673 and several Scouts from other troops have undertaken a community service project to earn their leadership pins. They are organizing a Discovery Toys party at which participants can earn points for donating toys for distribution to needy children.
Susan Heitkemper, Scout leader and Discovery Toys consultant, helped the girls with their plans.
They made the invitations, invited their parents and friends and encouraged them to order. Then they processed the orders, delivered the purchases and earned a lot of free toys.
Patty Graham and Junior Girl Scout Troop 302 donated toys to the Children Helping Children and Toys for Tots campaigns.
Barb Brawford and Junior Girl Scout Troop 673 also donated toys to Children Helping Children.
Cindy Cohen and Junior Girl Scout Troop 360 donated their toys to the Ronald McDonald House.
Heitkemper gave 10 percent of total sales in free Discovery Toys to Oak Grove United Methodist Church as a thank you for allowing the Great Bridge Girl Scout leaders to meet there once a month.
The staff of the Chesapeake Care Center would like to thank the caring people of the Chesapeake Fire Department for their Christmas donation. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Yolanda McDonald says all the items in the shelter have been
donated.
by CNB