THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020113
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 38 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun. All through Chesapeake, Santa's helpers are hurrying and scurrying to make sure that many who are not so fortunate have Christmas remembrances.
As Christmas Eve draws near, the Chesapeake Marine Corps League is collecting new toys for needy children as part of the Marine Corps Reserves' ``Toys for Tots'' program.
This is the 48th year that the Marine Corps Reserves have organized the national program to provide toys for underprivileged children across the United States. ``Toys for Tots'' was founded on the premise that ``Every child deserves a little Christmas.''
The Marine Corps League comprises former and retired Marines.
Wayne Smith, a retired Marine and now a Chesapeake deputy sheriff, is organizing the Chesapeake toy drive. Toy barrels are set up outside of Kay-Bee's Toys at Greenbrier and Chesapeake Square malls until Dec. 22. All the toys collected will be distributed in Chesapeake.
``One new toy may be the only thing that many children get for Christmas,'' said Smith.
Last year, more than 30,000 new toys were distributed to children in Hampton Roads.
Smith said principals of local elementary schools provide a list of names and needs for students whose families could use some help. The Marine Corps helpers also try to provide a toy for other children in the family.
``I've learned something about giving every year that I've done this,'' Smith said.
He has been involved with the toy program for 20 years, and this is his third year coordinating Santa's toy sack for Chesapeake.
Womble Realty Co. offices across the area have also joined together in the spirit of giving. They plan to help the families of Edmarc Hospice For Children.
Edmarc has provided each real estate office with a specific family's wish list of toys, clothes, sizes and special needs. Each office will shop to make their adopted family have a little better holiday.
Girl Scout Troop 194, Brownie Troop 382 and Cadet Troop 850 aren't asking for any fancy packages under their Chesapeake Central Library Christmas Tree.
They're requesting dog biscuits, cat treats, grooming supplies and sacks of pet food, but no rawhide bones, animals easily choke on them.
All the pet goodies will be donated to the Chesapeake Animal Bureau for the benefit of the lost and orphaned cats and dogs in their shelter. So far this year, the bureau has housed 4,400 animals.
The Girl Scouts have been yuletide sponsors of the library pet tree since 1987. MEMO: ``Holiday Helpline'' will be a regular feature of The Clipper throughout
the holiday season. If you know of someone who is helping to make the
season brighter for others, let us know by calling 547-9761 or by
sending the information to The Clipper, 921 N. Battlefield Blvd.,
Chesapeake, Va. 23320.
by CNB