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

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.