One woman's campaign helps three families

MANASSAS, Va. -- Amber Herron's children have never wanted for anything.

"My children, their biggest problem is, 'what [video] game are we going to play next?'" said the Fauquier County resident.

These days, Herron's children are getting a lesson in the harsh realities of life thanks to the generosity of their mother.

Always helpful come Christmas time, Herron has taken her unselfishness to new heights by getting her Manassas-based company, Offix, to purchase Christmas gifts for a family at the ACTS Turning Point Shelter for abused women and their children.

"I think it's very good for [my children] to be involved," Herron said. "... They helped me with the shopping, especially my 11-year old daughter. She has gotten into it and asked her teachers [for donations]. It's nice to see the kids think about someone else, because they can get kind of spoiled."

In previous years, Herron has participated in the Salvation Army's "Angels" program and most recently helped a friend in need during the holidays.

This fall, Herron decided to assist Turning Point and pitched the idea of donating toys to a family living at the shelter to Offix owners Steve and Kim Valenta.

They gave her the approval and what started as contributions to one family morphed into three, thanks to the unforeseen generosity of not only co-workers but Herron's professional contacts -- some she'd never even met.

A friend of the realtor who helped Herron purchase her house this year, Frances Heatherman, "purchased a PS3 game system and hundreds of dollars worth of gifts," said Herron.

So far, Herron has received more than $3,000 worth of cash donations and gifts for the children of these three families, two of which are living at Turning Point.

The other two children are friends of a co-worker that lives in Maryland.

Tammy Gray, Herron's buying agent with Long and Foster in Manassas, called Herron a special person for doing what she's doing.

"Her enthusiasm and her generous spirit and the e-mail she sent out really encouraged all of us to want to be apart of this," Gray said. "It was very inspiring."

"When somebody reaches out and makes a huge difference, we are so appreciative," added Turning Point Community Outreach Coordinator Peggy Sullivan.

Offix, a small company that specializes in office equipment, has been fortunate enough to have a successful year, said Kim Valenta. Giving back to the community is one of the keys to a successful business, said Valenta.

"We think that this will help people understand that even with the economy the way it is, that there are still people out there willing to help," Valenta said.

If you are interested in donating to Herron's cause, she can be reached at 703-530-1200. Turning Point can be reached 24 hours a day at 703-221-4951 or during office hours at 703-221-4460.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.