Published: November 29, 2008 07:17 pm            

Little Jimmie needs you

BLUEFIELD — Confidence is high, but the challenge is once again great as volunteers with the Community Christmas Tree launch 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 hundreds of area children. Sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the 2008 campaign goal is $25,000.

“We are very excited about continuing the long tradition,” Daily Telegraph Executive Editor Tom Colley said. “Every year Little Jimmie genuinely epitomizes the giving spirit of Four Seasons Country. We are truly blessed to live in such a generous region.”

Colley said the sign-up dates for this year’s Little Jimmie party will be Friday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bluefield City Auditorium.

This year’s Little Jimmie party will be Tuesday, Dec. 23, from noon to 2 p.m. at the city auditorium. Colley said organizers are hoping to help 750 children this year. Plans call for giving each child a gift bag with a main toy, a second toy, fruit, soft candy or cookies, a book, a pair of gloves and a toboggan.

Despite the national economic downturn, Colley said readers of the Daily Telegraph have consistently exceeded the annual goal set by the Community Christmas Tree committee.

A dedicated team of long-time and new volunteers will once again be helping to make this year’s Little Jimmie party a reality.

Colley said Don Whitt of Bluefield, Va., will mark his 50th straight 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.

“We sure do miss Cecil,” Whitt said. “But I enjoy taking part in the Community Christmas Tree program. The program is for the kids. As long as we entertain them, and they have a good time, the band on the stage has a good time. There is a lot of needy people, and needy children in the neighborhood, and we just do our part to entertain them a little bit. The Telegraph has always been the backbone of it to provide them with gifts.”

Shopping teams working this year include French’s Army with Mrs. Delores French, which shops for children ages 0-4 years old; Reasons for the Seasons with Stephanie Deason, ages 5-6; Bluefield Rotary with 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 once 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 Chris Dorton will help with bag insertions. Tina Reed will help with the fruit and candy orders, and Henry Meade will assist with the stage preparation.

Colley said the toys for the children will once again be purchased at the Bluefield Kmart this year.

Anyone wishing to help with this year’s sign-ups on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 is asked to contact Sue Richmond at the Daily Telegraph at (304) 327-2811 during normal business hours.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

        

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