HR58: Commending Nelson Farley.
WHEREAS, for more than 40 years, Nelson Farley of Newport News has given a toy to every child who visits his house to trick-or-treat on Halloween; and
WHEREAS, the generous gesture began in 1970 when Nelson Farley decided that toys would be a healthier and safer alternative to candy; in that first year, 70 children were given coloring books or balsa wood gliders; and
WHEREAS, the gift-giving program has grown immensely, and in 2013 the resident of the picturesque Hilton Village neighborhood gave out more than 1,100 toys; and
WHEREAS, on October 31, 2013, groups of children were invited inside Nelson Farley’s house to choose from an array of toys, including dolls, Frisbees, yo-yos, batons, recorders, jump ropes, and stuffed animals; and
WHEREAS, the Halloween gifts program has become an established neighborhood event; the parents of some of the children who chose toys this year were trick-or-treaters at Nelson Farley’s house when they were young; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Farley has many talents; in addition to his initiative to make Halloween an annual rite of childhood an even more special event in Hilton Village, he also is a poet and each year writes a special Halloween poem that he shares with his neighbors; and
WHEREAS, the eagerly awaited Halloween tradition that Nelson Farley created four decades ago will become a project of Hilton Presbyterian Church starting in 2014; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Nelson Farley hereby be commended for his decades of work to make Halloween in Newport News’ Hilton Village community happier, healthier, and safer; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Nelson Farley as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his successful efforts to give joy to children.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 58
WHEREAS, for more than 40 years, Nelson Farley of Newport News has given a toy to every child who visits his house to trick-or-treat on Halloween; and
WHEREAS, the generous gesture began in 1970 when Nelson Farley decided that toys would be a healthier and safer alternative to candy; in that first year, 70 children were given coloring books or balsa wood gliders; and
WHEREAS, the gift-giving program has grown immensely, and in 2013 the resident of the picturesque Hilton Village neighborhood gave out more than 1,100 toys; and
WHEREAS, on October 31, 2013, groups of children were invited inside Nelson Farley’s house to choose from an array of toys, including dolls, Frisbees, yo-yos, batons, recorders, jump ropes, and stuffed animals; and
WHEREAS, the Halloween gifts program has become an established neighborhood event; the parents of some of the children who chose toys this year were trick-or-treaters at Nelson Farley’s house when they were young; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Farley has many talents; in addition to his initiative to make Halloween, an annual rite of childhood, an even more special event in Hilton Village, he also is a poet, and each year writes a special Halloween poem that he shares with his neighbors; and
WHEREAS, the eagerly awaited Halloween tradition that Nelson Farley created four decades ago will become a project of Hilton Presbyterian Church starting in 2014; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Nelson Farley hereby be commended for his decades of work to make Halloween in Newport News’ Hilton Village community happier, healthier, and safer; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Nelson Farley as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his successful efforts to give joy to children.