W.A.L.K.I.N.

Virginia Beach grandmom plans community Christmas

From left, Doug Perry, program director for HOT 91.1 FM who is also known as Santa Claus for the W.A.L.K.I.N. party; Curtis Bowens of HOT 91.1 FM; Chris Connors, owner of Lavish in Virginia Beach, where this year's party will be held; Arlette Johnson, event organizer; Davisa Banks, who has attended with her three children for the past 12 years and now helps out. (Sandra J. Pennecke | For The Virginian-Pilot)

By Sandra J. Pennecke

Virginian-Pilot correspondent

© December 17, 2013

VIRGINIA BEACH

When it comes to making the annual W.A.L.K.I.N. Christmas party a reality each year, Arlette Johnson says God makes it happen.

But Johnson, who took over the party more than 10 years ago, lovingly recruits others to step up, help out and make the Dec. 21 party a success.

"So far God has blessed me," said Johnson. "I get a lot of help."

The unemployed mother of seven children and grandmother of 21 refers to the W.A.L.K.I.N. (We All Love Kids in Need) party as her baby.

Started more than 20 years ago by Rob Amos, a former Virginia Beach resident, the party was an effort to bring a little bit of Christmas to abused, handicapped, terminally ill and disadvantaged children in Hampton Roads.

Johnson, 57, of Lake Edward, volunteered to help and became the organizer after Amos moved.

Each year, she blankets local schools with flyers and contacts Virginia Beach Department of Social Services for referrals of families in need.

As the tough economic times continue to affect people, Johnson sees an even bigger need to make the party happen and reach out to those willing to donate.

"There are still families out there who are falling through the cracks, because they make too much money to qualify, but not enough to provide them with Christmas," said Johnson. "I don't care about income; all I care about is helping children."

This year, Johnson has secured donations from Jo-Kell, Electrical Commercial and Marine Engineering, CVS Pharmacies, The Noblemen, Love Unlimited Ministries, Operation Blessing, Making a Difference Foundation, Hot 91.1 FM, H. "Leo" Harris Photography, and many others.

Davisa Banks, of Aragona, has been attending the party for the past 12 years. She brings her three children, Antoinette, 16, Sean, 10, and Jordyn, 5, to join in the fun.

Banks, who is now married and working as an registered nurse, recalls being a struggling single mom years ago.

"I am now in the position to help others, donate and give back," said Banks, whose oldest daughter volunteers at the party, too.

While prayers are always at the forefront of Johnson's wish list, she is praying a little bit harder this year that she'll have two toys for each of the 500 children at Santa's side on Dec. 21.

W.A.L.K.I.N.'s party is for children ages 3 to 10 from low-income housing and homeless shelters in the area.

This year's party is from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lavish Restaurant and Lounge (formerly Bentley's), at 544 Newtown Road, Suite 118. As always, the event will feature lunch, face-painting, arts and crafts, dancing and games.

Each child will get to visit with Santa.

Johnson is asking for donations of new, unwrapped, nonviolent toys for boys and girls.

"When a parent has a mortgage and bills to pay, a toy for their child is not always a priority," said Johnson. "As long as there is a child in need, I'm going to try to help that child."

The W.A.L.K.I.N. 2013 Holiday Party is at Lavish Restaurant and Lounge, 544 Newtown Road, Suite 118, Virginia Beach, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; the cost is free but please call 434-4009 to register your child/children by Thursday, Dec. 19.

Sandra J. Pennecke, [email protected]

Beach woman still helping others, despite hardship

(Photo Caption)

Arlette Johnson organizes aChristmas party for children in need each year. The W.A.L.K.I.N. (We All LoveKids in Need) Party is set for Dec. 18 at Blakely's in Chesapeake. Johnson's seen others face hardtimes, but this year proves to be the hardest for her. She lost her job at theend of  September. Although she isunemployed, Johnson is not willing to see the party fold. She needs lots ofhelp though with donations of food and toys.

(Sandra J.Pennecke, correspondent)

By Sandra J. Pennecke

Virginian-Pilot correspondent

© November 23, 2010

VIRGINIA BEACH

Each year, Arlette Johnson sees harder andharder times, but that only feeds her desire to make the annual W.A.L.K.I.N.Christmas party happen.

After 14 years with Horizons Unlimited,Johnson was laid off from her position as director in late September, when thefacility lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal funding andshut down its Kempsville day care.

Horizons Unlimited is affiliated withSoutheastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP), a regional community-actionagency that works to end poverty.

“I’m unemployed, volunteering and trying tohave this party,” said Johnson, a mother of four and grandmother of 13. “Ican’t let what’s going on in my personal life interfere with the children.”W.A.L.K.I.N. stands for We All Love Kids in Need. It goes back more than 20years, when Rob Amos, a former Virginia Beach resident, set out to help abused, handicapped,terminally ill and disadvantaged children.

Johnson, of Lake Edward,volunteered with the party and became its organizer more than 10 years ago whenAmos moved.

Johnson organizes everything from start tofinish, ensuring that 500 children, ages 3 to 12, from low-income housing andhomeless shelters in Hampton Roads will have a Christmas.

This year’s party is scheduled from 2 to 5p.m. Dec. 18 at Blakely’s, 440 South Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake. Attendees, who are referred bylocal agencies and organizations, will have lunch with Santa, receive two giftsand enjoy craft-making, face-painting, dancing, games and more.

“A lot of people have said that they guesswe’re not going to have the party this year,” Johnson said. “I tell them I lostmy job, but I haven’t lost my mind.”

But in order to pull off this year’s party,Johnson still needs plenty of help. Her daughter, Kashaun Williams, 31,mentioned the party to her motorcycle club, K9 Too, and they’ve all stepped into spread the word.

“We’re helping with volunteering, security,gift getting and more,” Williams said. “We want to be sure that they can stillhave the party and see those smiling faces.”

Operation Blessing donated some toys, PODSdonated a storage unit and Halloween Express donated the use of several cartooncharacter costumes.

There are still plenty of donations Johnsonneeds in order to make this year’s party a success.

“I need new, unwrapped, nonviolent toys andkid-friendly food donations,” said Johnson, who prays that other companies,businesses or individuals will see it in their hearts to contribute. “It’s allfor the children. They need fun in their lives at Christmastime,” Johnson said.“There’s a lot of unemployment going on, and I’m trying to give them a littlejoy in their lives.”

Want to help?

Tax-deductible donations of toys, money and food (pizza, hot dogs, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese,cookies, juice boxes, etc.) can be dropped off at 700 White Hall Lane, Virginia Beach, mailed to PO Box 12391, Norfolk, VA 23541 – or local pick-ups can be arranged.

Call Arlette Johnson at (757) 434-4009 with questions regarding donations or the W.A.L.K.I.N. Christmas party.

Christmas party lights up kids' lives

Arlette Johnson of Virginia Beach recently coordinated herannual W.A.L.K.I.N. Christmas Party.

The party, held for more than 20 years, wasat Blakely's in Chesapeake.W.A.L.K.I.N. stands for We All Love Kids In Need.

"It feels great," Johnson said atthe party. "There's plenty of food and toys for everybody."

Despite unemployment and her own financialhardships this year, Johnson made sure the party happened without a hitch. Sheis already planning for next year's event.

"We have the date scheduled and astorage facility so we can collect toys all year long," she said.

- Sandra J. Pennecke, correspondent

Copyright December 30, 2010