Giving strong for area Christmas Mothers

Area Christmas Mother programs that raise money and deliver holiday cheer to the needy through toys, food, clothing and other assistance have not seen a downturn in giving despite the weak economy.

Many programs have seen their fundraising goals met or expect them to be this season. And nearly all of the programs are serving more families than last year -- with more volunteers, proving that the Christmas spirit is not dictated by the economy.

Here's a look at the status of some area programs as the holiday approaches.

Amelia

Nearly 400 children have been served by the Amelia County Christmas Mother program this year. The toys and other items were given out Dec. 12 in the gymnasium of the Amelia War Memorial Building.

"We've served the most kids we've ever served in our lives, and a lot of them were not social-services [clients,]" said Ann Salster, publisher of the Amelia Bulletin Monitor, which took over the program as a community service project in 1993. "A lot of them were down on their luck this year."

Last year, the program helped 315 children and was braced for 350 children this year because of the economic downturn. A preliminary count put the number served at 375. But organizers also saw an increase in volunteers.

Donations for the Amelia Christmas Mother should be mailed to P.O. Box 123, Amelia Court House, VA 23002.

Cumberland

The Cumberland County Christmas Mother program served 100 more children and 40 more families this year than it did last year.

The county's Christmas Mother effort collected a little more than $6,000, and last week the organization distributed toys to 300 children from infants to 13-years-olds, 100 gift certificates to children between 13 and 17, and goody baskets to 60 adults, said Alice Metts, chairwoman of the county's Christmas Mother committee.

For the past three years, the group has averaged giving gifts to about 250 children per year and assistance to about 50 senior citizens.

The group works year-round. Social Services is the fiscal agent for the Christmas Mother program, and all donations are directed to Cumberland Social Services, P.O. Box 33, Cumberland, VA 23040.

Chesterfield and Colonial Heights

Carolyn Thompson and her volunteers will provide Christmas goods to 1,757 families, almost 5,280 people, nursing-home residents and foster children. That is steady with last year's 1,706 families and 5,331 individuals.

The program had raised $140,000 and expects to meet or exceed its goal of $150,000, which was the same amount raised last year.

"We are amazed. We didn't know how it was going to be with the economy, but we're very pleased. There are plenty of kind and generous people," Thompson said.

For information on the program, call (804) 751-4657. Donations should be mailed to the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother, P.O. Box 2500, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

Goochland

Goochland County Christmas Mother Cindie Valentine said her program will serve 392 families, or 555 individuals. The program has raised more than $42,000 and expects to meet or exceed its $50,000 goal.

Contact the Goochland Christmas Mother at P.O. Box 322, Goochland, VA 23063, or call (804) 784-4121.

Hanover

Hanover County Christmas Mother Laura Stanley said her program has collected about $62,000 so far and will assist 650 or more families, including 1,200 children. That is up from 520 families last year, when $60,000 was donated.

To donate, send checks to P.O. Box 39, Doswell, VA 23047

Henrico

The Henrico County Christmas Mother program, led this year by Karen W. Moore, had about 1,800 families apply for assistance, a record. The program was able to help 1,650 of them, which includes about 5,000 individuals, including 2,800 children and more than 700 senior citizens and disabled adults.

No estimate of financial contributions was immediately available, though Moore said the goal of $200,000 had not been met to date.

Contact the Henrico Christmas Mother program at (804) 236-9741. To make a donation, send checks to P.O. Box 27, Sandston, VA 23150.

Powhatan

Fundraising efforts by the Powhatan County Christmas Mother may be a little slower than hoped, but the organization is seeing a surge in volunteers. The group has served more than 230 families this year, a slight increase from last year at this time. The organization hopes to raise $35,000 and was hovering around $20,000 last week.

Christmas Mother Gail Timberlake said the group may not reach its fundraising goal by Christmas but will do so by the end of her tenure as Christmas Mother in August.

"I'm confident we are going to make it," she said.

Donations to the Powhatan County Christmas Mother should be mailed to P.O. Box 461, Powhatan, VA 23139.
Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .

Staff writers Jamie C. Ruff, Melodie N. Martin and Holly Prestidge contributed to this report.