Region’s Christmas Mother programs help thousands

The holiday season that just ended capped off a rough year for many families around the area.

Knowing that, New Kent County Christmas Mother co-coordinator Carol Witherspoon didn't expect to hear from so many families seeking to sponsor a needy family, she said.

The outpouring was so strong that "we ran out of families" needing to be sponsored, Witherspoon said last week. "I had to turn people away. We've never had that happen before."

In addition to having an abundance of volunteers to help 74 needy families plus others, the county raised about $13,000 in donations, meeting the goal for the year. That's in addition to food, toys and many other items.

Despite the challenging economic times, "people were really, really generous this year," Witherspoon said.

The area's Christmas Mother programs helped thousands of families this year.

Hanover County Christmas Mother Virginia "Gigi" Foster said she wants every donor to know how much she appreciates their time and money.

The Hanover program collected about $65,000, down from $69,000 the year before. The program helped 697 families, including 1,410 children.

"I appreciate so much everyone's donation of their time and money and food and toys," Foster said, adding that several church groups provided gloves and knit hats for those in need.

Powhatan County Christmas Mother Evelyn Kay Mann said the program raised about $35,000 this year, meeting its goal.

About 250 families were helped, and an additional 90 families were sponsored by a donor family.

"We love our county, and the people here have just been awesome," Mann said. "Every door was opened to me."

She said she was apprehensive that the economy would put a damper on donations. She was proved wrong, she said.

County residents "really stepped up to the plate," she said.

The Chesterfield County-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program collected $138,154 this season, down $17,846 from last year. From that, 1,579 families were helped, up from 1,467 families last year.

The Henrico County program received about $150,000 -- short of the $200,000 goal -- and with that, helped 1,900 families.

Cumberland County raised more than $8,000 and helped 215 families, including 475 children. Also, 60 elderly and disabled residents were provided with food baskets, stamps and writing material.

Goochland County raised about $52,000, more than the $50,000 goal. That money was used to help 235 families.

The Crewe-Burkeville program raised about $6,000. Assistance went to 48 families, including 90 children. Families were given gifts as well as food through Angel Food Ministries, and children were given toys, coats, clothing and shoes.

Amelia County residents donated $18,712, nearly reaching the $20,000 goal. The program served 533 children.

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .