THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508220123
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Now that national holidays praising mothers and fathers have passed, it's time for local kids to get some recognition.
``Youth Appreciation Day'' is the theme for Saturday's salute to children, being held from noon until 4 p.m. at Princess Anne Park.
Hosted by the city's Community Action Resource Empowerment committee, the event will include face painting, dunking booths and arts and crafts, as well as the Spectrum Puppets and demonstrations by Chuck Norris Karate Studio.
Sports events such as volleyball, basketball and softball will be a part of the festivities, while music will be provided by Astro Disc Jockeys. Many of the activities will go on simultaneously, so participants will have a variety of choices.
Norfolk Tides mascot Rip Tide and actress Ashanti Blaize, appearing in the October film release ``Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored'' with Tim Reid, will be included. Organizers planned the events to cater to children in pre-kindergarten through high school.
``We don't think we take enough time in our lives to listen to our children and thank them for being great kids,'' said Carol R. Williams, chairman of CARE, a group manned by city employees who help ``inner city'' neighborhoods find resources to start community programs that concentrate on youth.
Everyone's invited to the free event, and buses will be picking up children and their families from CARE neighborhoods such as Lake Edward, Twin Canal and Plaza.
Officials said they are expecting 300 to 400 participants. ``We just want the kids to know that we appreciate them - all of them,'' said Wanda R. Croudy, publicist for Youth Appreciation Day. ``We want to include as many kids as possible, without singling any particular group out.''
To kick off Youth Appreciation Day, CARE will hold a breakfast Friday at the Officers Club at Oceana Naval Air Station at 8 a.m. for city officials, organizers and sponsors.
At this time, board member Tom Barton will announce a new C.A.R.E. fund-raiser titled ``Take Stock in Our Youth.'' For $5 each, mock stock certificates will be sold to offset the cost of the committee's programs, such as the summer basketball league and after-school programs, as well as future events.
``Hopefully we'll make the kids happy,'' Croudy added. ``This is our opportunity to let people know that the city does care.'' MEMO: Stock certificates can be purchased by calling the city's ``Beachline''
at 427-3580, Ext. 713. For information about Youth Appreciation Day or
CARE itself, call 426-5760.< ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CAROLE J. ARNOLD
CARE committee members and participants took part in last year's
CARE Day picnic, which has now expanded into Youth Appreciation
Day.
by CNB