By Thea Jarvis

Three years ago, Joan Neuschwanter was reading a holiday issue of The Georgia Bulletin and came upon an item under "Reader Comment." The writer, Jean Houseman, appealed for Christmas gifts and contributions for DeKalb County children in foster care.

"The article explained that all the kids under the care of DeKalb County Department of Family and Children's Services needed toys or gifts, but teenagers were their most urgent need," Mrs. Neuschwanter recalled. She learned that no other program provided for those over 12 years and these children were frequently forgotten at holiday time.

The mother of three and parishioner of All Saints Church in Dunwoody was genuinely touched. "My teenager was getting a stereo and my 11-year-old wanted a bike and that was only the beginning of their lists!" she observed.

Joan Neuschwanter was moved to act. At the suggestion of the parish Women's Guild board, of which she is still a member, All Saints' school of religion was approached with the idea of responding to the Christmas wishes of some FCS teens. Pat O'Bryant and Fran Waller, elementary and high school coordinators at the school, were enthusiastic. Father Joe Beltran, All Saints' pastor, was supportive and encouraging.

The project was on.

"Our children bought 32 gifts the first year and the number has grown to 62 this year," Mrs. Neuschwanter said with unmasked delight.

The program no doubt succeeds because of its simplicity and its direct involvement with parish students. Each class is invited to donate money for a gift the teen has identified as something he or she really wants. Students are, at the same time "introduced" to the teen by means of a brief description that includes age, sex, personality traits, learning abilities -- "very tall, bright, cheerful, a lovely child but a little slow" might be terms used to identify the recipient, Joan Neuschwanter explained.

The gift is then purchased with the students' funds, usually by the school of religion teacher, or, in the case of some high school classes, by a delegated student. Participants have an opportunity to see and wrap the gifts during a later class, before the gifts are distributed by the Department of Family and Children's Services.

Gifts run the gamut from sweaters to jeans, from basketballs to jewelry. Each class generally donates one gift, but smaller classes sometimes pool their funds for one child.

"We try very hard to give (these teenagers) what they have asked for. Usually they need clothes," Joan Neuschwanter said.

This year, one request appeared, on the surface, to be a bit extravagant: Ralph Lauren perfume. "I don't give my own daughter that," Mrs. Neuschwanter said good-naturedly.

But DRE Pat O'Bryant urged her to "think about it. This is the one special thing she wanted, something very special to her -- and it was under $20."

Joan Neuschwanter was an easy sell. "These are the special things that will make their Christmas," she finally concluded.

Young people who are reached in the All Saints Christmas project are those deemed "deprived" by county authorities.

Kelly Fields, Placement Supervisor for the Family and Children's Services office, is the liaison between the county and the Christmas givers. She indicated that the "deprived" status means these children have been abused or neglected and have required foster care at some point.

Ms. Fields emphasized the special interaction that comes when people become personally involved in Christmas giving, knowing to whom the gift is given and that it is what he or she really wants.

"It's extra worthwhile from both ends. The human contact makes the big difference," she said with enthusiasm.

The county is responsible for about 400 children, 250 of them teens. Because teens have special needs and are not covered by holiday programs like the Empty Stocking Fund, federal cutbacks and unemployment have placed an increasingly heavy burden on county resources.

This means that those who give, whether individually or as a group, can be sure their offerings are received with gratitude and in answer to genuine need.

The All Saints' children ultimately responsible for making the parish program a meaningful expression of Christmas sharing have likewise benefited from their own generosity.

"The kids are doing it and finding a personal message in it," Joan Neuschwanter said of those who have made it a part of their holiday tradition. "It's a personal kind of giving."