THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995 TAG: 9512210182
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Many old-timers can remember riding the trolleys that used to run through Hampton Roads. On a recent evening, residents of Sentara Village at Virginia Beach, an assisted living community, had a chance to relive the experience while taking in some impressive displays of holiday lights.
The 13 members of Preceptor Alpha Xi, the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service sorority, chartered two Tidewater Regional Transit trolleys to provide a holiday tour through Windsor Woods and Princess Anne Plaza. The trolleys glided past homes bedecked with mangers, Santas, sleighs, reindeer, toy soldiers, and every other symbol of the holiday season, all bathed in lights of every imaginable hue.
The residents, accompanied by family members and staff from the facility, gazed in wide-eyed wonder as lights blinked and flashed illuminating one seasonal scene after another in yards and on porches, roof-tops, and garages.
An hour before the 7 p.m. departure time, residents were lined up in the lobby and hallway awaiting the arrival of the trolleys.
``Judy Holland called me back in August,'' recalled Deborah Cofield, director of activities for the facility. ``She introduced herself and said they would like to donate two trolleys to take residents to see the holiday lights. I was ecstatic; my prayers were answered. It's something I had wanted to do but didn't have a budget for.''
Even Santa came along for the ride, arriving early and passing among the residents before they boarded the trolleys. He rode half-way on the first trolley and then transferred to the second, ``ho-ho-ho-ing'' merrily while passing out candy canes and leading Christmas carols aboard each.
``I'm an `NPN' Santa,'' he pronounced, grinning broadly. ``No padding needed!''
Holland, the sorority's service chairman, and secretary Julie Coppedge had mapped out the route the night before, identifying the most impressive holiday displays.
The residents loved it.
``I think it's a wonderful idea,'' said Winnie Hodge, ``to get out to see what you wouldn't otherwise get to see. I don't drive; at 83 you don't drive. It gives us a chance to get out.''
For Ivan Cleaver, it was his first time out to see the lights. ``I was glad to go with them,'' he said.
Returning to the facility, Santa and the sorority members stayed to share hot cider with the residents as they continued to discuss excitedly all they had seen.
Some sorority members brought family members of their own along to help residents get on and off the trolleys and to contribute to the mood of the season. Edie Earles introduced her assistant, daughter Heather Thornton, 15, dressed as an elf, to several of the residents.
Earles explained that the sorority holds one major fund-raiser a year, a craft show, raising more than $20,000 that is donated to charities such as the American Red Cross or spent on community service projects like the trolley charter.
``We just wanted to do something for the residents to let them experience something of the holidays,'' Holland said. MEMO: Through December we will profile individuals, businesses and
organizations that are reaching out to help others during the holidays.
If you'd like to nominate the goodwill shown by someone you know, send
us information by fax at 490-7235 or by mail to: Beacon Holiday Helpers,
4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Santa and Dorothy Allen get ready to board the trolley at Sentara
Village.
by CNB