BLUEFIELD — Following the toughest of economic years for many families across the region, the challenge is expected to be even greater for volunteers with the Community Christmas Tree who are launching their annual campaign to ensure that needy children across the region are not forgotten this holiday season.
A drawing of a pitiful girl and boy shown in a desperate scene of poverty has evoked an overwhelming spirit of benevolence in the region since 1917, and organizers are optimistic that the community will once again respond — and ensure a bright Christmas morning for more than 750 area children who would otherwise go without this holiday season. Sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the 2009 campaign goal is $25,000.
Readers of the Daily Telegraph have consistently exceeded the annual goal set by the Community Christmas Tree committee, Daily Telegraph Managing Editor Samantha Perry said.
Despite the national economic downturn, Perry said organizers are hopeful that the community will once again rise to the challenge and help meet this year’s goal.
“The Community Christmas Tree stands as a great example of the generous and compassionate nature of the people of the two Virginias,” Perry said. “Our goal is to help all local families in need so that no child will go without on Christmas, and the people of our community have always helped to ensure this goal is met.”
Although traditionally the first donations to the Little Jimmie campaign are listed on the front page of the Daily Telegraph on the Monday after Thanksgiving, this year employees of the Daily Telegraph wanted to make the first contributions in memory of the late Daily Telegraph Executive Editor Tom Colley.
As the long-time chairman of the Community Christmas Tree, Colley helped to ensure a joyous Christmas for thousands of needy children across the region for more than 24 years. Colley passed away on Jan. 10 of this year following a brief illness.
The employees of the Daily Telegraph have raised $625 to help kick off the 2009 Community Christmas Tree campaign.
“Tom was such an inspiration to all of us here at the Bluefield Daily Telegraph,” Classified Sales Manager Teresa Dye said. “He put his heart and soul into the Community Christmas Tree every year — we felt that the employees of the Telegraph being the first ones to contribute for the 2009 campaign would be a great way to honor Tom’s memory. Immediately following last year’s party, Tom stated to me that he always looked for one face ... the face of the child that lights up the room in a way that no other child does. That one small comment tells each of us just how important the Community Christmas Tree was to not only Tom, but hundreds of local families.”
Perry said Colley’s son Kevin, and his daughter-in-law, Michele, will carry on Tom’s legacy at this year’s party.
This year’s Little Jimmie party will be Tuesday, Dec. 22, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the city auditorium on Stadium Drive in Bluefield. Perry said organizers are expecting to assist 750 children this year, although that number could increase. Plans call for giving each child a red bag filled with two toys — selected especially for each individual child — fruit, treats, a book, toboggan and gloves.
Families can sign up their children for this year’s Little Jimmie party on Friday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sign-ups will be held both days at the city auditorium on Stadium Drive in Bluefield.
Children — newborns to age 12 — can be signed up. Parents or legal guardians are required to bring their child’s birth certificate or WIC card.
“There is one change to the donation process this year, and that is donations will no longer be accepted by credit card,” Perry said. “Fees for accepting credit cards increased greatly, and we felt this money would be better spent on the children.”
Perry said a dedicated team of long-time and new volunteers will once again be helping to make this year’s Little Jimmie party a reality.
“It truly is the people of this community who make the Community Christmas Tree a success — from those who donate to the campaign to those who volunteer their time shopping, signing up children and performing a host of other duties,” Perry said.
Perry said Don Whitt of Bluefield, Va., will return for his 51st year as an entertainer for the Little Jimmie party. He will once again this year be joined by the Daily Telegraph’s Bill Archer. Whitt has been performing for the Community Christmas Tree since 1958, when he was first asked by the late Cecil Surratt to perform with the band during the Little Jimmie party.
Shopping teams working this year will include French’s Army with Mrs. Delores French, which shops for children ages newborn to 4 years old; Reasons for the Seasons with Robert Perry, ages 5-6; Bluefield Rotary and Rev. W.D. Hasty for ages 7-8; Spirits with Michele Colley, ages 9-10; and East River Street Rods headed by Jim Dent, ages 11-12.
Don Rice will once again organize the line up of gift bags, and Charlie Cole will again provide transportation for the bags from Kmart to the city auditorium with the Cole Harley-Davidson van. Genie Hancock will serve as the literacy bag coordinator, and Chuck Sullins will help with bag insertions. Tina Reed will help with the fruit and candy orders. Perry, Cole and Kevin Colley will handle the ticket checks during the party.
Mercer County Circuit Court Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn will be wearing the magic red suit this year as he steps into the role of a familiar holiday icon at this year’s party.
Perry said toys for the children will once again be purchased this year at Kmart.
From the employees of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph in memory of Tom Colley
Bill Archer
Angela Bevins
Teresa Boone
Tom Bone
Sandra Carroll
Teresa Dye
Terri Hale
Greg Jordan
Leigh McVey
Pamela Morton
Charles Owens
Jamie Parsell
Andy Patton
Samantha Perry
Amy Persinger
Tina Reed
Allen Roberts
Sue Richmond
Trish Walker
Rhonda Watson
Today’s total .............$625.00
Total to date ..............$625.00
Local News
November 28, 2009
Little Jimmie campaign faces great challenge in 2009
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