The News Argus December 1996 Page 3
^ COMMUNITY EVENTS ^
Christmas Cheer Toy Shop
Provides Gifts, Joy, Happiness
BY JACQUES ROUSE AND AMY PHIPPS
Staff Writers
The Christmas Cheer Toy Shop, a
United Way agency which began in
1952, provides toys for needy children
during the Christmas season.
Beginning in September of each year,
three staff members and a core of
approximately 90 volunteers package toys
for children ages one to 12-years-old. The
bulk of the items given away are new toys
purchased with United Way funds.
Additionally, numerous organizations and
individuals donate “twice-loved” toys
which are cleaned, repaired and
distributed to children.
This year, distribution of toys will
begin on December 11 and will continue
until Christmas Eve, as parents come at
appointed times to pick up toys for their
children. Each child, most of whom are
identified as needy by social services, is
entitled to one bag consisting of four or
five toys. According to Betty Deal, the
director of the Christmas Cheer Toy Shop,
“We never run out of toys!”
However, without the help of much-
needed volunteers and donors, the success
rate might not be so high. In fact, some of
the current volunteers are parents and
children who were grateful recipients of
toys in the past.
When asked how the program
benefits families. Deal says in addition to
helping the children get through the
holiday season, the Christmas Cheer Toy
Shop “helps parents’ self-esteem. The
idea of being an adequate provider is very
important to most parents and a lot of the
time these toys are the only things they’ll
be able to give to iheir children.”
Another program. The Christmas
Clearing House, is geared toward the
needs of entire families. This is the
second program operated by the staff of
the shop. The clearing house matches
concerned individuals or organizations
with families in need of clothes and toys
at Christmas lime. The sponsors purchase
or donate quality clothing and toys, and
provide gift certificates for hard to fit
items such as shoes.
Both the Christmas Cheer Toy Shop
and the Christmas Clearing House are
valuable programs which ease worried
minds, not only during the holiday season,
but also for several months after the
holidays.
If you would like to help with either
of these programs there are several ways
to do so. To volunteer or donate items for
the Christmas Cheer Toy Shop contact
Betty Deal at (910) 725-5205 or slop by
the shop located at 239 S. Liberty Street.
The only gifts which are restricted are
toys, figures, books, etc., which depict or
contain violence.
For those who are interested in
becoming a Christmas Clearing House
sponsor call Deal at (910) 722-0664 or
stop by at the same location. For your
convenience, a profile of one of the
families in need of a sponsor has been
included in this article. If you are
interested, feel free to contact Deal.
The -lohn-son Family
Douglas Johnson was initially
referred to the Christmas Clearing House
by social services. He is a student at The
Special Children’s School which educates
children with physical and/or emotional
difficulties. Although Doug is live- years-
old, he functions in most ways like a
three-year-old. Upon evaluation, social
services determined that Doug’s family
members were also disadvantaged
financially.
Doug’s family consists of five
members with the following needs;
Douglas, 5, Male Size 10 1/2
shoes for school; socks; a hat and mittens;
Sturdy plastic trucks, cars; Legos; plastic
bam or gas station with animals or people.
Tommy, 6, Male Size 10 1/2 to
11 shoes for school; sweatshirts size 5/6;
Matchbox cars, action figures, Magna
Doodle.
Amy, 1, Female Any clothing,
size2T; Set of sturdy plastic pots with
lids; toys for ages 12-24 months.
Elizabeth, 44, Female Women’s
med. size socks; any pants size small or
7/8; large sweatshirts.
Miriam, 65, Female Any pants size
13/14; shoes size 7 1/2
Household Washcloths; towels;
blankets; sheets - size twin or full.
Desired date of delivery:
December 19, 1996
Minister
Eddie Boger, a senior political
science major said, “Minister Farrakhan
brought up some very interesting points. I
wish everyone could have an of>en mind
and be more receptive to his words of
wisdom.”
Senior Sarbelh Fleming was moved
by the Minister’s powerful message. “ I
was left with a good feeling. I hope the
Minister will be able to speak at WSSU
again.”
“He made some good points, but you
have to know what he is about,” said
sophomore Marcus Grant.
Junior Yolanda Linton agreed. “You
have to know who you are as an
individual before you hear him speak.
TheMinister is a motivating speaker and
what he said made a lot of sense.”
Business administration major,
Yolanda Kelty said, “I am not a follower
of Farrakhan; however, I can appreciate a
lot of his beliefs and teachings.’”
Jhonnell Ridout, a senior mass
communications major also said she was
not a follower of Farrakhan. However,
she admitted that “he knocked a lot of
ignorance out of me.”
According to Guan Muhammad, the
president of WSSU’s Nation of Islam
Student Association (NOISA), students
have been U'ying to procure Farrakhan as
a speaker for almost three years.
In 1994, NOISA and other student
leaders submitted a proposal to then
Chancellor Cleon Thompson, to invite
Farrakhan to speak at WSSU, for any
possible occasion. Their proposal was
not approved.
Last spring, students pushed to have
Farrakhan’s name added to the list of
desired Commencement speakers.
Students even staged a demonstration to
ensure that their voices were heard by the
new chancellor and other administrators.
His name was added, but Chancellor
Alvin J. Schexnider, felt he nor the
university were prepared at that time to
from Page 1
handle a visit from such a high-profile
speaker. He promised the students that
Farrakhan would be invited to speak at a
later date.
The students got their wish.
Farrakhan told members of the press and
the students that, “The chancellor is a
man of his word...l was told I would be
invited this season and I was.”
At the end of the program, SGA
President Veronica Alexander presented
Farakhan with a WSSU jogging suit and
baseball cap. Although the gift was well
received by him, several students felt that
the university should have done more to
express their appreciation towards him.
Some students feel that Minister Farakhan
should be given a honorary degree from
WSSU.
C o rvg r atuCatio ns
December
(ircniuates!!!
dood Lx^ck
and
Best WisFves
in aVi
oj X^OUH
Future
EmCeuvors.