When dad’s in jail, Santa still shows
What happens when daddy goes to jail? The quadruple life sentences urged last week for Central Virginia's serial rapist, Nathan Antonio Washington, a father of four, have raised awareness of the topic, and one local group is already doing something about it.
For the past two years, Santa Matters has brought joy to children of incarcerated men and women during the holiday season. Now in its third year, the organization has received requests for one hundred and fifty presents from area inmates.
Organizers says that's a huge increase from last year's fifty requests and the previous year's thirty. Founders David and Holly Heilberg and Katharine Griffin are accepting donations of new presents or money at two different locations, Northside Library and at Mr. Heilberg's Pantops area law office at 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway.
Or, Mrs. Heilberg says, she will drive anywhere
to pick up toys and monetary donations. She can be contacted at hheilberg@yahoo.com.
On December 19th, children will gather at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail where there will be cupcakes and punch–- as well as Mr. Heilberg dressed as Santa Claus and the newly elected top Albemarle prosecutor, Denise Lunsford, dressed as an elf.
6 comments
Why? Because it makes a lot of people feel superior to the receiver. You know, like the relative that always has to give the most expensive presents and then act as if he really thinks that the small presents other family members give are "just the right thing," " so thoughtful and sensible" and "extra special since you've had such a hard time this year."
Jill, I really have no problem with all of so-called giving to the unfortunate, as long as it isn't tax money, but I'm not usually impressed with the giver. Have you noticed that this Xmas giving and pre-school giving have become big business around here?
You're so right. No one seems to care if the victim has a wonderful holiday, a festive meal, family comfort, presents or a phone call, or was able to replace the Christmas presents for his family that were stolen. It's called "life if tough, stiff upper lip and get over it." All in the spirit of giving. Please keep the victims in your prayers.
And I'm santa for dude's wife! Ho Ho Ho Merrry Christmas.
Yes, let's have warm and fuzzy feelings for the local jail that has so many people choosing to go there that the superintendent has just announced that the jail authority may be asked in the near future to spend a lot of tax payer's money on expanding. It's already a social club, apparently.
Of course we care about victims....children of incarcerated parents are also innocent victims in the eyes of God.
In all the vapid commercialism that is Christmas these days it is sad to think that people can't see beyond their own "wish lists" and grab bags, etc.
Christmas should be about children and every child deserves a merry one regardless of whether they were fortunate enough to be born into good circumstances or bad.
"In all the vapid commercialism that is Christmas these days it is sad to think that people can't see beyond their own ¢Ã¢â??¬Ã?â??wish lists¢Ã¢â??¬ and grab bags, etc." AND,
"Christmas should be about children and every child deserves a merry one regardless of whether they were fortunate enough to be born into good circumstances or bad." makes for vapid children. Is Christmas about celebrating the birth of Christ or about giving children lots and lots of presents? Please feel free to give lots and lots and lots of presents; some say it's good for the economy and assuages a lot of feelings of misplaced guilt.
Absurd. Why give funds to the families that have had members steal, abuse and threaten others. What about the families of the rape victims. Noone cares for them, only the rapist and his family. Absurd.
God bless those who have been victims of crimes. May they find peace when the suspect goes to jail. May the suspect stay in jail and his family move on without him.