One of the most satisfying tasks for Christmas Friends Inc. will occur Saturday, December 19, when gifts for needy children and senior adults are delivered to homes throughout Middlesex County.
Thanks to the many donors who have contributed funds, volunteer shoppers who have carried on in the midst of the pandemic, and a tenacious group of volunteer wrappers who worked only on weekdays this year, approximately 264 bags are ready to go to 104 locations.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, 13 vans and trucks will load up as Santa’s sleighs and depart from the spacious bays at the Middlesex County Volunteer Fire Department in Urbanna, traveling the length and breadth of the county to deliver the bags of gifts. One of the vehicles is a covered trailer carrying bicycles and a few other gifts too large to fit in the bags.
Maps have been prepared to guide the delivery crews, and several vehicles will likely make use of GPS to find the homes. If you are expecting a delivery, please be sure your house address is visible from the street.
Also, please be home between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday if you are expecting a delivery. Gifts will not be left on a doorstep or porch unless someone is at the home.
To protect all from the spread of the virus, volunteers making the deliveries have been asked to wear masks, and they are not expected to enter homes except in extreme cases, such as to assist a handicapped person.
Now in its 35th year, Christmas Friends Inc. is sponsored by the Southside Sentinel and the Middlesex County Department of Social Services. Hundreds of volunteers and donors in the community make the program possible.
Monetary donations are still needed and can be brought to the Southside Sentinel office at 276 Virginia Street in Urbanna or mailed to Christmas Friends Inc., c/o Southside Sentinel, PO Box 549, Urbanna, VA 23175. Checks should be made out to Christmas Friends Inc.
ChristmasFriends.org also contains a link for those who wish to donate funds through PayPal or a credit card.
Christmas Friends Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation and donations are tax-deductible.
Monetary contributors are recognized as Christmas Friends and their donations are listed weekly in the Sentinel. Contributors who wish to remain anonymous should request that their donations be listed as such. Memorial contributions also will be acknowledged.
Donations received through December 15 total $25,883.
Donations this week total $3,525.
This week’s donations include:
- Deborah and Gary Cook, $150.
- Butler and Richardson, $250.
- In memory of those who are no longer with us, may we always treasure those times together and live better lives because of them. Brenda and David Butler, $200.
- In honor of Rosetta B. Johnson, $100.
- In memory of Steve Compton by Janice Compton, $100.
- In memory of Bob Strotmeyer and in honor of Charlotte Strotmeyer and Philip and Susan Brooks given by Robin and Wayne Johnson, $100.
- Robert and Joan Mannell, $200.
- In memory of Delores Wright by Don and Judy Richwine, $100.
- In memory of Ada Marie and Francis Hall by Cerise and Lewis Hall, $300.
- Anonymous, $100.
- In memory of Helen Haley by Janice Compton, $25.
- In memory of David, Cris, Christy, Cody and Caleb by Daniel and Alice, $250.
- Captain and Mrs. Percy Blackburn, $100.
- In memory of Jan Taylor by Larry and Zani Autry, $100.Ed and Sherry Inabinet, $100.
- Middlesex County Woman’s Club Inc., $150.
- In memory of Howard Kruse by Beth and Basil Hurst, $50.
- In memory of Dorothy Carneal and Carroll Lee Spencer given by Ed and Ann Fary, $50.
- Bob and Alice Winslow, $100.
- Deborah and Richard Haynes, $100.
- In memory of Mae and Lewis Pierce, $350.
- George and Carol Throckmorton, $200
- In memory of Syd Thrift and my brother and sister-in-law Steve and Joyce Wilson by Dolly Thrift, $350.
