THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220129
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK DuROSE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Last Saturday it wasn't Pat Robertson or Oliver North grabbing the limelight at Founders Inn. It was Santa.
At 10 a.m. more than 400 underprivileged children from throughout Hampton Roads were ushered through a giant plywood snowflake into a ballroom that had been magically transformed into Santa's Kingdom by more than 75 jolly elf helpers.
The head helpers in this yuletide venture were David Nizankiewicz of Operation Blessing and Paul Smith of Founders Inn, who successfully staged the event two years ago, and were eager to repeat it.
On the schedule were free pizza, free candy, free gifts to all, clowns, a mime troupe and, of course, Santa Claus.
``Our mission statement at Operation Blessing,'' said Nizankiewicz, community program coordinator, ``is to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe the naked, or to show Christian love by alleviating human need. So, we're feeding them, and each child will receive a hat and scarf as part of their gift, so we're clothing them. We invited kids from every shelter and from low income areas to give them a blessing they could take home with them - a memorable Christmas.''
Operation Blessing began organizing in tandem with Founders Inn in late September. Its responsibility was to choose and invite the children, provide buses for transportation and supply the gifts. Founders Inn agreed to provide the space, locate sponsors and vendors to donate food, and schedule the entertainment.
Paul Smith was pleased with the turnout, which he estimated at 450 children. ``We did this two years ago, and it was successful. We got very involved with other things last year, but we definitely wanted to do it again.''
The children seemed equally pleased. And full. There were dozens of pizzas, and loads of candy, all of which were gone before noon. Children also got an opportunity to decorate their own oversized Christmas cookies.
Stacey Haines, a Regent University student from Nova Scotia, was one of the cookie coordinators and assisted in the design of more than 100 cookies personally. ``It's really wonderful to make all these children happy for a day. Some of them might not get that opportunity, otherwise. And that's what Christmas is all about,'' said the volunteer with a smile.
With that many children running around a single ballroom, it was quite a crowd. But the bigger the better, was Ray Priest's feeling. Better known to the children as Raybob the Clown, he helped entertain the kids with an hourlong show on a main stage. ``I'm having a blast,'' said Priest. ``From the stage, you get to see all the jumping up and down. You've got to enjoy it. Seeing the light in these children's eyes; that's what Christmas is all about.''
One disappointment of the festival was the no-show of scheduled celebrity and noted philanthropist Mr. T. He was well-known some years ago for the movie ``Rocky III'' and the ``A-Team'' television series, and was in town until the 16th, when he was suddenly called away. The children were unperturbed, however. According to Shanta Woorell, 9, of Douglass Park Elementary School in Portsmouth, ``Mr. T? I don't even know who he is. I'm just glad Santa was here.''
Many of the children said Santa was the best attraction of all, with the free candy running a close second. An exception was Ronnie Stout, 10, from Portsmouth. He didn't want to see Santa, he said, ``Because I don't want to tell him to bring anything. I want it to be a surprise.'' Ronnie also had a complaint. ``There's not enough room to run around here.''
It was not an unheard protest. Paul Smith commented, ``That's one thing we found out today. They like a lot of room.''
Even Sarah Olson, 12, said, ``I know I'm older, but it's still fun seeing Santa Claus.''
And Tabatha Thacker, 8, was all smiles after climbing down from the big man's lap. ``He's my favorite,'' she said. ``I asked him for Roller Blades and a Barbie, and I know I'll get them, too.''
Tyrone Ricks, 10, from Highland-Biltmore Elementary in Portsmouth, was happy about his chat with St. Nick, too. ``He was all right,'' said Ricks, ``But all I asked for was one thing, Game Gear. He's busy, and I've got other presents at home.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by MARK DuROSE
More than 400 children were entertained at a party at Founders Inn.
Helping to spread good cheer were a mime troupe from Harvest
Assembly of God Church in Chesapeake, and, of course, Santa Claus.
Here the jolly old fellow talks to Tabatha Thacker, 8.
by CNB