BY MELANIE COUGHLIN

Special to The Pilot

Homeless children will not be without warm clothes and toys this Christmas. Brenda Burt and her wingless angels are making sure of that.

Burt's all-volunteer operation, GodSent Angels Mission, is holding an event for the children Saturday, Dec. 22, from noon until 3 p.m. at Cannon Park (Camelot Park), in Pinehurst.

Burt is calling it "A Christmas to Remember" because she hopes the gifts will make a happy holiday memory for the children, all of whom will receive a toy, clothes and a goodie bag.

"We're going to have a lot of fun things for the children," Burt says. "We just want these children to know they're loved."

Several groups are providing afternoon entertainment. Local guitarist Bob Huber plans to play Christmas music, and several churches are leading the crowd in carols.

Kim Kirkpatrick and others are doing face-painting. Sandhills Assembly is presenting a children's Christmas program. Dance and gymnastics troupes are performing, and MANNA! director John Roberts is giving a tomahawk-throwing demonstration.

Little Miss Moore County and Ms. North Carolina Senior are making appearances, as is Santa Claus.

"We have a lot of people helping," Burt says of the corps of volunteers who are working with her on the event.

The volunteers range from individuals to organ-

ized groups.

Home-schooled children in Christian Home Educators of the Sandhills (CHES) donated white bags to use as stockings, which they painted - 3,000 of them - with Christmas scenes. The goodie bags will be filled with small toys, sandwiches and oranges, which are coming from churches, businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations. Many will also volunteer their time that day.

The Fat Monkey Express, of West End, is donating a tractor-trailer to transport toys from a 4,000-square-foot warehouse donated by one of Burt's "angels." Bikers Friends and Helping Hands, along with 80 members of the Pinecrest High School football team, will help load the truck Friday.

Gage Moretti, owner of the Green Zone, from Greensboro, is donating a tractor-trailer of scarves, hats, mittens, gloves and coats, along with 3,000 oranges.

Burt expects as many as 2,500 children, both homeless and at-need, to come to the event. Though she has been gathering coats, warm clothes and toys for several months, the mission still needs more donations to ensure every child leaves with a gift.

"GodSent Angels Mission could not exist without generous people helping," says Burt. "We are grateful for it."

Burt started GodSent Angels Mission two years ago to help the growing number of homeless people in Moore County. Her desire to launch the effort came from her own life: Burt was once homeless. Gov. Beverly Perdue recognized Burt's work with GodSent Angels Mission last spring by awarding her the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service.

GodSent Angels Mission accepts donations at two locations, all of which are listed on its website, www.GodSentAngels.blogspot.com.

Donations made payable to GodSent Angels Mission are accepted and should be mailed to 111 Troy Road, West End, NC 27376.

To reach Burt directly, call (910) 603-4882 or email godsent_angels@yahoo.com.

Contact freelance writer Melanie Coughlin at coughlin@embarqmail.com.