Sisters share vision for helping needy children in county
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 21, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Alika Simmons, 3, smiles as she hugs Santa as he makes a surprise visit during A Christmas Tea sponsored by O and H held at Herman Park Center on Saturday afternoon.
Jeremiah Jarmond, 4, wants a Sonic the Hedgehog game.
His older sister Jamyah, 7, has her heart set on a Barbie dollhouse.
Big brother James Jr., 10, has his eye on an Xbox One.
They all nod their heads yes when asked if they have been good enough for Santa to grant those Christmas wishes. Their father, James Jarmond Sr., agreed.
And Saturday afternoon they got a chance to give their wish list to Santa during the O and H A Christmas Tea seventh annual Winter Carnival held at the Herman Park Center.
Cold, rainy weather kept the attendance down to about half of the 60 or so who had been expected to attend, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of those who did come out.
There were pizza, cookies, drinks and Santa hats for everyone. The children played games and sang as they waited for Santa to put in an appearance.
O and H A Christmas Tea is a community services-based organization founded by sisters Jacqueline Oates of Dudley and Anthinette Oates Hines of northern Virginia.
It started out as a for-profit organization in 1995, serving areas in the Southeast. But after Sept. 11, 2001, the sisters, who are natives of the Grantham community, decided they could help people more as a nonprofit.
The program helps needy at-risk children by providing financial support to assist local social services agencies.
It has helped more than 300 families across Wayne, Johnston, Harnett, Lenoir and Wake counties.
For the sisters, it is a way to share the values their late parents, James and Mamie Oates, taught them growing up on a farm. Mrs. Hines is a counseling psychologist, and Ms. Oates has a master's degree in business management.
"Our mother and father always raised us to give back to the community," Mrs. Hines said. "We decided to go not-for-profit -- it was rewarding for us. We facilitate aid to 20 families per year from outer wear to inner wear, toys, gifts, games, and stuff like that.
"We have volunteers. We have sponsorships from the Boys and Girls Cub, Toys for Tots, Domino's Pizza, all kinds of organizations. What we do here is give kids games and gifts and fun with Santa."
The first three years, the sisters sponsored A Christmas Tea at Lane Tree Golf Club before starting the winter carnival's Christmas parties.
Other projects during the year include a backpack drive, complete with school supplies, and some clothing. A clothing drive is held for needy families during the spring. The organization has even helped with utility bills.
For more information, contact Ms. Oates at 919-221-4132.