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Volunteer Santas are already checking their lists twice Date published: 10/17/2009
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE Some area children are still deciding what to be for Halloween. But area organizations that serve the poor, the elderly and the disabled are already planning for Christmas. At a recent meeting of the Rappahannock United Way, many agencies said they were worried this year would prove to be the busiest holiday season yet. "We are starting early," said Stafford County Social Services volunteer coordinator Yolunda Willis. "The numbers are so high. We need the time to find the sponsors to support our clients." Willis expects to hear from more than 4,000 people needing help this holiday season. Her office provides aid for social services clients, people receiving welfare, food stamps or foster-care benefits. They have not seen such numbers in more than 20 years of providing this assistance, Willis said. In Spotsylvania County, Lori Weresnick, volunteer coordinator for social services, sent out 1,200 more applications to clients than she did last year. And last year, she sent out 1,200 more than the year before. "It's definitely going to be much tougher this year," Weresnick said. Regular sponsors have already committed to providing food and gifts for needy families. But so far, the churches and service organizations have told Weresnick they won't be able to help as many as in previous years. She has found sponsors for 500 clients already. But she hopes to help more than 3,000 clients. The Salvation Army has added locations for its annual red kettle campaign--hoping to get more donations to help the rising number of people asking for assistance. Salvation Army staff are already recruiting more bell ringers. Soon, it will take applications for people needing holiday help. "We've had so many telephone calls already, so we're expecting a madhouse," said Jamie Smith the agency's social work supervisor. Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Date published: 10/17/2009
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