Chrismas Mother’s a Times-Dispatch—and Community—Tradition

FROM THE NEWSROOM Charlotte M. Minor was so inspired by her experiences as the 2008 Richmond Christmas Mother that she plans to expand her volunteer efforts in the new year.

Minor's personal touch was evident in the number of donations that were dedicated to her, her family, and even the family pets -- Doogie and Brownie.

She made many appearances on behalf of the Christmas Mother Fund, including at The Jefferson Hotel tree-lighting ceremony, two Holly Balls, a luncheon at Imperial Plaza, the annual Valentine Christmas at Court End , and Richmond Christmas Mother Day at the Salvation Army Christmas Center.

More than 7,000 families, including 17,000 children and 750 seniors, received gifts, clothing, and financial assistance from the Richmond program this year.

Minor has been touched by her experiences.

"As far as special moments, I have had many," she said. "The Christmas program for sixth-graders at Henderson Middle School was particularly moving. The teachers and students there gave $500 to the Christmas Mother Fund.

"I am sure this was a challenge for many of the children there. I sat beside one little boy who told me he contributed $3 [and] that it came from his allowance -- that his mother had told him that he had to give from his own money.

"The children there heard talks about the importance of giving from a former counselor at the school, from someone in the Richmond city schools administration . . . and me. All of us stressed that you can give in many ways -- that it does not always have to be money."

She plans to return to Henderson as a volunteer in the new year.

Minor, the 74th Richmond Christmas Mother, helped raise more than $241,000 by Christmas Day. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 31. A final total for the year will be published on Jan. 1.

So far, the total raised since the program's inception is nearly $6.3 million. In the first year, the fund surpassed its $7,500 goal by $377 and helped 4,685 local families and individuals. In most cases, notably excepting the years of World War II, each year brought a higher goal and a higher record. The lowest goal was $1,200 in 1944 and was met by Dec. 20.

The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund has provided needy children and families with toys, clothing, food, and other assistance during the holidays since 1935. It was established that year by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city's afternoon newspaper. In 1940, the Bryan family bought the

Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the two newspapers ultimately merged in 1992.The Salvation Army now administers the fund as part of its citywide Christmas programs.

While each year's Christmas Mother puts a personal face on the fundraising campaign, one person has been a constant source of support for three decades.

Nancy Guthrie, a Times-Dispatch news assistant, manages the annual Christmas Mother program. She coordinates the Christmas Mother's schedule and prepares the daily update of donations. Other employees from the news, marketing, finance, and online departments help with editing, promotion, and accounting tasks.

"The Christmas Mother program at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, thanks to the Bryan family, is part of the fabric of who we are and what we represent in this community," said Times-Dispatch President and Publisher Thomas A. Silvestri.

"As a local newspaper with Web sites, we connect people to each other with information, news, and stories about the people who live and work here. The Christmas Mother program was founded to make Christmas possible for children who might not have presents to open on Christmas morning. We are proud to host the program that has contributed an impressive amount of reader donations to buy toys for children throughout Richmond for more than 70 years."
Cheryl Magazine is Sunday editor. Contact her at (804) 649-6850 or .