Cumberland Christmas Mother: Alice Metts

CUMBERLAND

Alice Metts

Helping out during the holiday season is a community effort in Cumberland County. A Christmas Mother committee of 14 leads the effort, but residents, civic organizations and businesses all chip in to do their part.

Alice Metts, a lifelong resident of Cumberland, is the committee chairwoman. She has a history of working with youths in the county, first as a social worker in the school system; she currently works with at-risk youths.

"I know that there really are children in Cumberland who don't have a Christmas without the Christmas Mother program," Metts said. "That's the reason I got involved; to make sure those children had Christmas."

Metts said the recession hit Cumberland hard, and she expects an increase in requests for help. However, she believes donations will remain strong.

"At this point, we have found the merchants in our area have been more generous than in past years," she said. "I think that's because they recognize there is going to be more need."

In past years, the fund has received donations from beyond Cumberland's borders.

The program aids infants through children 17 years old as well as the elderly who have no other source of Christmas gifts.

"We take monetary donations; and we collect new toys and new clothing through an Angel tree program, or as people want to give," Metts said.

The Christmas Mother committee has budgeted $9,000 for the program; donations are accepted year-round.

The deadline to submit requests for help: Dec. 11.

Send donations and requests for help to: Cumberland Christmas Mother, care of Cumberland Social Services, P.O. Box 33, Cumberland VA 23040.

-- Jeremy Slayton