The most satisfying task for Christmas Friends Inc. will come Saturday, Dec. 16, 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 265 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 in Urbanna, 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 38th 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 for the week ending Dec. 12 total $4,700.
Donations received in recent days include:
- Deborah Cook, $100
- Lenny and Patsy Loving, $100
- In memory of our mothers, Donna Jean Hill and Paula Mathews, $100
- Newby and Becky Mauck, $500
- Anonymous, $200
- Anonymous, $100
- In memory of Grandson, Justin Wyatt, from Kenny and Bernice Wyatt, $100
- In honor of the Mon. SCAT Ladies, $100
- In memory of Minnie and Eddie Healy, Margaret and Amos Healy, Dorothy Healy Carneal, and Mabel Healy Shannaberger by Ellen Carneal, $100
- In memory of Dorothy Carneal, John Carneal, Carroll Lee Spencer, Lois and Louise Spencer by Ellen Carneal, $100
- In memory of Kenny Beasley by Brenda and Joe Oliva, $100
- Dick and Kathy Goyne, $200
- In memory of John E. Hunt and in honor of Doris Hunt, $100
- Brotherhood of Christ Church Parish, $800
- In loving memory of William and Louise Milby and Arthur Shaver, $300
- In memory of Mae and Lewis Pierce, $500
- In memory of Virginia’s Confederate dead, $100
- Carolyn and Bob Boxley, $200
- In memory of our Granddaughter, Ruby Ann Peters, by Pastor Ken and Terry Cleveland, $50
- Bob and Alice Winslow, $100
- Richard and Deborah Haynes, $100
- Su and Dave Lively, $100
- Strother and Evie Scott, $200
- John Kauffman and Debbie Clevenger, $100
- Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Parish, $250
Previous total: $13,844
Total to date: $18,544
