THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512030009
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ALLISON WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
MAN CAN'T forget his best friend during the holiday season.
Thanks to the Isle of Wight Humane Society, the dogs, cats and other pets spending Christmas - and later times - in two local animals shelters will get a helping hand from the community.
The society is asking for contributions of pet food and supplies - collars, leashes, feeding dishes and the like. Donors may leave gifts under the Christmas tree decorated with animal ornaments at Smithfield Antiques Center, 131 Main St.
Business hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The collection will end New Year's Eve.
``People don't stop to think that puppies chew things up,'' society vice president Judy Colwell said. ``So after Christmas, when they realize they can't take care of the animal, they turn around and take it to the pound.''
All donations will go to the two no-kill shelters in Hampton that serve Isle of Wight County, the Cat Corner and the Animal Aid Society.
For more information, call Colwell at 238-2467. Christian Outreach
Christian Outreach Programs of Isle of Wight County is sponsoring an angel tree at The Lord's Vineyard, 207 Main St., Smithfield.
The tree is trimmed with ornaments containing the names of 80 county people who need a helping hand. People may pull the ornaments, purchase a gift and put it back under the tree by Dec. 4.
The organization will distribute the gifts for Christmas. Kiwanis Club
The Smithfield Kiwanis Club is hoping to raise $15,000 to buy Christmas gifts for more than 350 children this holiday season.
The organization has mailed letters asking for donations, said Gene Lowery, chairman of the club's Isle of Wight Christmas Fund.
All donations are used to set up the Kiwanis Toy Shop at Smithfield Shopping Center. Recipients referred by the County Department of Social Service can come there to select gifts for their children.
Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 114, Isle of Wight, Va. 23397. Clearing House
Individuals or organizations wishing to help others may contact Gloria Wilson or Jacqueline King, holiday project coordinators at the Isle of Wight County Department of Social Serivces: 365-0880. MEMO: [For a related story, see page 14 and 15 of The Sun for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by Allison Williams
Jim Ahicht hopes the humane society's tree will help dogs such as
Hobie.
by CNB