Everyday people like Ann Sanders


No matter where you find Ann Sanders, one of her many tote bags filled with yarn, crochet hooks and/or knitting needles with not be far from reach. For almost 10 years this Virginia native and long time Toano resident has been making and collecting donations of scarves, hats and blankets for Rainy Day Kids, a non-profit community service organization based in Fredericksburg that was formed in 1998 as a way to help those less fortunate. Not only has her handiwork and that of donors found its way into the Fredericksburg community, it has brightened the lives of Native Americans in the Midwest.
Per Rainy Day Kids founder, Shelly Shipman, “Rainy Day Kids is able to distribute hand made blankets to children in need through the generous donation of blanket makers from all over the country.”
During 2008, Shelly was contacted by One Spirit in reference to sponsoring a child. One thing lead to another and Shelly, along with her father, made a trip to the reservation to attend a Pow Wow and to meet the many friends she had made through the One Spirit sponsorship program. While at the reservation, Shelly and her father attended a special evening ceremony. “...As we were attending the ceremony, some of the elders and kids were getting chilled as it was evening and the temperature had dropped. I had some of your (Ann’s) blankets in the car and was able to give out many blankets which were unbelievably received by everyone as that was seen as a blessing. If I could have telepathically thanked you at any point, I would have loved to have done it right then,” said Shelly.
“It was such an honor for my Dad and I to experience that, and the blankets enabled us to show how thankful we were to be welcomed. Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Shelly.
Her giving spirit doesn’t stop when she puts down her knitting or crocheting. During 2007 and 2008, she would arrive at her office 30 to 40 minutes early each day so that she could spend time typing the draft of Richmond legendary’s Ricky Sgt Santa Duling’s book. Her morning alarm sounded at 3:30 a.m. in order for her to make it to her office in the far west end of Richmond prior to the start of her work day. For almost two years she collected, organized, and typed the material for The good Lord made me look this way for a reason. In the late fall of 2008 the edition went to press and Sgt Santa recognized her efforts by including the following acknowledgement, “To ‘Ann,’ Virginia Ann Sanders, who made this book possible by donating long hours to coordinating materials and typing the manuscript. She is truly an angel from above.”
During both the spring and Christmas crafts shows, held at the Showplace in Mechanicsville, she donates her time assisting Sgt Santa and his volunteer coordinator, Ruby Clanton, by running errands and taking photographs. For her efforts, Sgt Santa has bestowed upon her the title of “Official Elf” - a title of which she is very proud.
One of her greatest passions involves brining forth her alter ego, “Tuttles the Clown.” Tuttles is a long time member of Clowns of America International, charter member of Kolonial Klowns of Williamsburg – Alley #357 (for which she serves as Secretary and Newsletter Editor) and an international award winning clown in both make up and performance. She has been awarded COAI’s Best of the Press for her Editorship of an Alley newsletter, earned COAI’s Excellence in Clowning, is the recipient of the the New Callipoe’s Editor’s Choice Award “for her Continued Support and Enthusiasm,” and was named the 2007 COAI Clown of the Year.
With the assistance of her husband, Tim “Sawdust” Laynor, she self published a collection of her clown skills and performance features (articles published in The New Callipe - COAI bi-monthly magazine.) Net profits from Fifteen Minutes of Magic are donated to XP Society to benefit Camp Sundown, New York. In support of the Camp Sundown and the Camp Sundown Clown Alley, she donates craft supplies as well as participates in the Kolonial Klowns’ red foam nose sales fund raisers.
In preparation for the upcoming 2009 International Clown Week (observed each year August 1 - 7,) she has been busy coordinating the Alley’s activities, to include the August 2nd Annual Blessing of the Clowns to be held at Hickory Neck Church (Toano,) and visits to the Williamsburg Regional Library (Scotland Street,) Virginia Home (Richmond) and to round of the week, the Virginia Living Museum (Newport News.)
Starting in April she began a letter writing campaign requesting Clown Week proclamations for elected officials in Virginia and across the country. (Copies of a number of the proclamations will be on display at the Williamsburg Regional Library on Scotland Street during Clown Week.)
As she discovered, a number of states accept proclamation requests from in-state residents only. That did not deter her efforts! With the assistance of her cousin, Paul Hayden of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the New Mexico governor’s office issued the Clown Week proclamation to Paul.
Paul, who was admittedly reluctant to submit the request, got caught up in the spirit of the activity and donned a clown wig and red foam nose.
Tuttles, along with a number of her fellow Alley members, will be appearing in and around the Williamsburg area during Clown Week. You can look for them not only at the Williamsburg but Gloucester, Richmond and Newport News!
Ann and her spouse, Tim Laynor (who is President of Kolonial Klowns) reside in Toano along with their cats, Cosmo and Casey. She holds a Commission of Kentucky Colonel and is employed as a Training Support Specialist at Software Engineering Center-Lee, Fort Lee, Virginia.

(SPECIAL NOTE...this piece was submitted by Tim Laynor who will celebrate 10 years of marriage with Ann “Tuttles” Sanders in August. Obviously he is still quite smitten by her.)

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Welcome to our popular feature focusing on great everyday people in our community who are quietly making a difference. We all know them, there are hundreds in our community. Maybe a neighbor, a babysitter, a grocery store clerk who is a little extra special. Tell us about the person you know who is quietly making a difference. Call 757-250-3195 or email toanonorgetimes@aol.com