Christmas Friends Inc. now has a website at Christmasfriends.org, and donating has gotten easier. With a few clicks, you can donate using PayPal or a credit card.
Christmas Friends is in its 34th year of helping the less fortunate of Middlesex County. The community-based program again brings together those who want to make Christmas brighter for hundreds of local needy children and elderly or disabled adults.
The gifts this year will be delivered on Saturday, December 21. That gives Santa’s helpers about nine days to buy, wrap, sort and deliver thousands of gifts. Gift-wrapping sessions at the Sentinel office will be on December 14 and, if needed, on Sunday, December 15.
To volunteer to wrap presents, or deliver the gifts, please call Geanie Longest at the Southside Sentinel at 758-2328, ext. 101, or email her at glongest@ssentinel.com.
The fund-raising goal for Christmas Friends this year is $30,000.
Delivery
Three more vehicles will be needed for gift delivery on Saturday, December 21. The ideal van for holding approximately 25 large bags of gifts is a Chrysler or Dodge with stowaway rear seats or similar size vans with seats that can be completely removed. “Full size” SUVs (such as a Chevy Suburban) have also been used successfully. Most regular size SUVs do not have enough space.
Full size pick-up trucks with camper shells are also suitable. Delivery vans and drivers will soon be assigned. If you have a van and are willing to remove its back seats and be the driver for one of 12 delivery teams, please call 758-2328.
Volunteers
All funds donated to Christmas Friends go directly to help needy children and disabled or low-income elderly of Middlesex. All workers are volunteers and administrative fees are extremely low. Supplies such as boxes, wrapping paper and delivery bags are all donated. Gift boxes can be left any time at the back door of the Sentinel office. Volunteers supply storage space, vans and fuel to assist with the big delivery job.
Contributors
Contributors will be recognized as Christmas Friends and their donations will be listed weekly in the Southside Sentinel. Contributors who wish to remain anonymous should request that their donations be listed as such. Memorial contributions also will be acknowledged.
All checks should be made payable to Christmas Friends Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 549, Urbanna, VA 23175. Donations can also be made online at christmasfriends.org.
Recent donations include:
Beth Hurst, $50.
Clara Christopher, $100.
Cynthia L. Nelson, $25.
Malcolm Fleming, $100.
Dr. and Mrs. Robusto, $100.
Leasures Wrecker Service Inc., $200.
In memory of Ada Marie Hall by Cerise and Lewis Hall, $250.
In memory of John Dunlevy by Martha Dunlevy, $100.
Harriette and Mike Floyd, $100.
In memory of Hersey Mason by Anne Mason, $100.
Anonymous, $100.
Ed and Anke Fisher, $150.
Buzz, Fran and Mickey Brown of Southeastern Marine, $257.
Saluda Baptist Church Deacon Ministry, $100.
Orlando Family, $150.
In memory of grandson, Justin Wyatt, by Kenneth and Bernice Wyatt, $50.
Anonymous, $750.
In memory of Steve Compton by Janice Compton, $100.
Al and Fran Miller, $50.
Anonymous, $125.
In memory of “Chuck” and Charlie Revere, love the Revere family $200.
Bob and Alice Winslow, $100.
Dave and Susan Prugh, $100.
In memory of Bobby Mills by Amy Schact, $50.
Anonymous, $50.
In memory of Al from the Autry’s, $100.
In honor of the Town of Urbanna by Chip and Mary Buxton, $200.
In honor of Rosetta Johnson by Linda Young, $60.
In memory of Jess Saunders by his family, $250.
Mason Realty, $100.
Mike and Nancy Lowden, $100.
In memory of Thomas E. Ward given by his parents, Floyd and Jean, $100.
Bev and Charlie Hart, $100.
Pete and Judy Mansfield, $200.
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Bagby by daughter Sarah Bagby Stokes, $25.
Nimcock Gallery, $50.
In memory of Larry and Barbara Shores, $200.
Carolyn and Bob Boxley, $200.
In loving memory of John D. Lemons Jr by Billy, Blair and the Curdts Crew, $100.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ferrell, $250.
Scott Krejci, $25.
Russ and Pat Russell, $100.
Trinity Lutheran Church, $1,500.
In memory of Mae and Lewis Pierce, $250.
East Coast Boatlifts Inc., $100.
Steven and Kimberly Riggan, $100.
Michael and Catherine Cottrell, $100.
Sal and Lorie, $100.
The Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Parish, $200.
In memory of Cody Carlton, Christy Carlton, and David Kirby by Jeff and Barbara Shaw, $300.
In memory of John E. Hunt, $100.
In memory of Christy and Cody. We miss you. Love, Mom and Dad, $200.
James and Virginia Shackelford, $100.
Given by Kitty Kat Nappers Red Hatters, $75.
Urbanna Creek Yacht Club, $300.
Christ Church Brotherhood, $750.
Adult Sunday School Class of Saluda Baptist Church, $50.
Urbanna Baptist Church Harmony Sunday School Class, $400.
Previous total: $12,158.
Total this week: $10,242.
Total to date: $22,400.
