The most satisfying task for Christmas Friends Inc. will come Saturday, Dec. 17, when gifts for needy children and senior adults are delivered to homes throughout Middlesex County.
Thanks to the many donors who have contributed funds, and many volunteer shoppers and wrappers, approximately 280 bags are ready to go to more than 100 locations.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, 12 vans and trucks will load up as Santa’s “sleighs” and depart from the spacious bays at the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (the Urbanna firehouse), traveling the length and breadth of the county to deliver the bags of gifts.
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.
Now in its 37th 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 St. in Urbanna or mailed to Christmas Friends Inc., c/o Southside Sentinel, P.O. 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 Dec. 13 total $21,734.
Donations include:
- In honor of Doris Hunt, $25.
- In honor of Mildred Townsend, $25.
- In memory of our son, Matthew Anzivino, $100.
- In memory of David Kirby by his sisters, $50.
- Judith Mansfield, $100.
- Anonymous, $100.
- James and Virginia Shackelford, $100.
- In memory of Charles Healy from wife, Anita Healy, $150.
- In memory of John E. Hunt by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hunt, $100.
- In memory of Dad, David and Davey by Kerry, Kelsey and Jim, $100.
- In loving memory of Ada Marie and Francis Hall by Lewis and Cerise, $250.
- In memory of Art and Joe by Helen Chandler Mirabito, $100.
- Anonymous, $100.
- Garry Clay, $100.
- In honor of our parents, Pat and Russ Russell by Jan and Jim Stellwagen, $200.
- In honor of our Community of Caregivers for Support in the last 2 years. Don and Judy Richwine, $500.
- Alice and Robert Winslow, $100.
- Jerome and Elizabeth Lester, $100.
- Helen and Leo Richardson Charitable Trust, $500.
- Anonymous, $100.
- Given in honor of our grandchildren by John and Vera England, $100.
- Carousel Physical Therapy Inc., $200.
- Anonymous, $100.
- Dr. Gregory R. Chambers, $750.
- Christ Church Parish Brotherhood, $750.
- In memory of Ken Moore by JoAnne Moore, $100.
- Captain and Mrs. Percy Blackburn, $100.
- Anonymous, $100.
- In memory of my wife, Betty Miller, $300.
- Christchurch School, $524.
- Dr. and Mrs. Reed Prugh, $500.
- “So grateful for the joy of moving back to Urbanna this year.” Barbara and Robert Lovelace, $200.
- In honor of our Grandsons from OK, Kalvin and Nolan Peters, spending Christmas with us this year in Hardyville! Pastor Ken and Terry Cleveland, $100.
- Beth and Basil Hurst, $75.
- Mason Realty, $100.
- In memory of Hersey Mason by Anne T. Mason, $100.
- Chuck and Linda Leasure, $150.
- In memory of Mom and Dad by Leasure’s Wrecker Service, $500.
- In memory of Walt and Ruth Ellen Hurley by mother, Rachel Edwards, $500.
Total this week: $8,149.
Previous total: $13,585.
Total to date: $21,734.
