A recent donation to The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund came from a man who is grateful to the Salvation Army for the Christmas gift bag he received when entering a correctional facility near Christmas.

A recent donation to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund came from members of a bridge club that began as a neighborhood young mothers’ evening out more than 35 years ago. This year members chose to forgo their usual gift exchange and made a donation to honor a member who is now suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. The Christmas Mother Fund was established in 1935 by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city’s afternoon newspaper. In 1940, the Bryan family also bought the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the two newspapers ultimately merged in 1992.

The deadline for requesting assistance from The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund is approaching. Requests must be postmarked by Dec. 15. The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund was established in 1935 by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city’s afternoon newspaper. In 1940, the Bryan family also bought the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the two newspapers merged in 1992.

Charlotte M. Minor, the 2008 Richmond Christmas Mother, led a procession down the grand staircase at The Jefferson Hotel’s annual tree lighting last night amid nearly 1,000 attendees. Escorted by her husband, G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III, Minor’s introduction to the crowd filling the ornate lobby coincides with the official start of her work this week to help brighten the holidays for thousands of struggling families.

A single mother of two young boys says this is the first year she has ever had to reach out to others for help. Despite working two jobs six days a week, she says she doesn’t know how she’ll be able to provide any sort of Christmas for her sons.

The situation that confronts one metro Richmond family seems to encapsulate the economic hardships that scores of others are facing this holiday season. The person seeking help is a mother of four whose home was lost to foreclosure last year.

The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund is off to a good start, but it will need your help to aid the growing number of people having a rough time during this recession-marred holiday season.

The approach of the holiday season this year has been underscored by grim economic tidings. The housing industry is mired in a slump, Wall Street is in disarray, a number of financial institutions are failing and unemployment is rising. Simply put, it’s a time when more and more people will need a helping hand. That’s the reason for the existence of the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.

We’re into Thanksgiving week, a fitting time to take note of the blessings that have come into our lives. It’s an equally opportune time to share our blessings with those less fortunate by giving to the needy through the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.

The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, with your assistance, is here to help. The fund was established in 1935 by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city’s afternoon newspaper. In 1940, the Bryan family also bought the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the two newspapers merged in 1992. The fund was designed to provide needy children and families with toys, clothing, food and other assistance during the holidays.

The Richmond Christmas Mother can help make the holidays a joyous occasion for many. The fund was established in 1935 by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city’s afternoon newspaper.

The year-end holiday season starts in earnest next week, and the Richmond Christmas Mother hopes the generosity of metro-area residents and organizations brings holiday cheer to those in need. The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund was established in 1935 by John Stewart Bryan, publisher of The Richmond News Leader, the city’s afternoon newspaper. In 1940, the Bryan family also bought the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the two newspapers ultimately merged in 1992.

The deadline to apply for help from the Richmond Christmas Mother is Dec. 15.

New Kent County hasn’t had a Christmas mother for the past 10 years, but it does have a Christmas mother program.

In a matter of days, Charlotte M. Minor will help touch lives in a deeply personal way. She can’t wait. As the 2008 Richmond Christmas Mother, Minor will encourage Richmonders to brighten the lives of area families struggling with tight finances.