THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512130115
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Christmas is just a few days away. Many have already completed their shopping, stacked their packages under decorated trees and baked tins of goodies, while others are still planning and worrying.
Local clubs and agencies are getting anxious about filling their long list of needs for local children and families who need some assistance.
Patricia Myers, a foster care family assistance aide with the Social Services Department, said teenagers often get overlooked.
``Many concentrate on getting toys for younger children, which they should, but teenagers still need to have a Christmas,'' said Myers. ``They need new clothes and something for fun like tapes, radios or books.''
Myers said there are about 185 children, ranging in age from newborns to 18-year-olds, in foster care in Chesapeake. There are 52 teens in the program at present.
She said there is still a need for sponsors and agencies to help provide gifts. Call Myers at 543-9211, Ext. 435, for a list of sizes and more specific shopping information.
``If they can't bring the items to us,'' said Myers. ``We will gladly provide a pick-up service.''
Kenneth Chesson, youth education program coordinator for Chesapeake Volunteers In Youth Services, has a certain young lady for whom he would like some help. He said the girl had a difficult time at home, dropped out of school and had a baby by the time she was in the eighth grade. Now she has a different kind of struggle. She's trying to raise her son and also get a college education so that the two of them will have a better life.
Chesson said the young woman has earned her General Equivalency Diploma, scored successfully on the Scholastic Achievement Test and was accepted at Norfolk State University. She's now headed for her second semester with a ``B'' average as a restaurant/hotel management major.
Last semester, the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department assisted with the cost of child care, and Chesson helped provide transportation to classes. Now it's time to start planning for next semester, and funds are low.
Her Christmas wish list is short. She needs assistance with child care, transportation and textbooks. She also wants a job, then she wouldn't have to ask for help.
For more information, call Chesson at 436-8177. Donations are tax-deductible, Chesson said.
On Saturday, the children of Providence United Church of Christ will go caroling through local neighborhoods to share the joy of the season in song. 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