Mechanicsville resident Sue Beer and her daughters wanted to help a family in need last Christmas. So she turned to Hanover County’s Department of Social Services and, through its Holiday Match program, made the season a little brighter for a local woman who was taking care of her 9-year-old grandson. She wasn’t the only one. The match program, along with the Hanover Christmas Mother, helped 689 families, or 2,377 people, including 1,445 children.

Times-Dispatch Christmas Mother Fund. Despite a very challenging year economically, many Richmonders and others opened their hearts and their checkbooks to make it possible for needy families in our community to have a happy Christmas. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity. Working together in the spirit of giving, you made a big difference in the lives of many children. I also want to thank the staff at the newspaper, especially Nancy Guthrie, for their incredible support. I thank Dan and Francina Proctor and all the staff and hundreds of volunteers at the Salvation Army for the long hours they worked in distributing assistance to those in need.

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.

This is the Christmas Day list of donations made to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.



To honor Lovely Charlotte and Great Gil from Edward, Heather, James, Lawrence, Anna, Sarah, Lily, Philip and Fontaine————————————-$100.00
To celebrate my Christmas Wedding (12-29-89) to Philip Minor whom I’ll always admire,

Hundreds of families will have brighter holidays this year because of the generosity of the many who have contributed to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. The fund is still open for donations.

Serving as the 2008 Richmond Christmas Mother, Charlotte M. Minor has been inspired to help the community in other ways. “It’s been so rewarding, it really has!“ said Minor, who has represented the fund for struggling families during a time of economic turmoil nationwide.

As Christmas Day approaches, donations are pouring in for the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.

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.

The kids are now out of school for a while, and family from near and far are arriving. As we gather for the holidays, it’s a good time to remember those who have less to share and for whom the holidays may not be as bright as ours.

A few days remain for people hoping to help the needy by donating to the Rich´mond Christmas Mother Fund.

One of the letters addressed to Richmond’s Christmas Mother was written by a woman who said that after supporting the Salvation Army’s kettle drive and projects such as Angel Tree for most of her life, “I am on the other side of the fence.“

Today is the final day to submit requests for help to the Richmond Christmas Mother.

Time is running short. Only 11 days remain before Christmas. And there’s only one day left—tomorrow is the deadline—for people to apply for help to the Richmond Christmas Mother. The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund was established in 1935 to provide needy children and families with toys, clothing, food and other assistance during the holidays.

Holiday helpers Participants of the Junior Assembly and Town & Country cotillions on Dec. 5 helped Richmond Christmas Mother Charlotte Minor collect donations.

The Salvation Army Christmas Center, a place where generous donors help make Christmas dreams come true, celebrated its grand opening yesterday. “We’re all about having something to look forward to on Christmas morning,“ said Maj. Dan Proctor, the Salvation Army’s Richmond-area commander. “We have so many people to thank and recognize.“