The most satisfying task for Christmas Friends Inc. will come Saturday, Dec. 20, when gifts for needy children and senior adults are delivered to homes throughout Middlesex County.
Thanks to the many donors who have contributed funds, and many volunteer shoppers and wrappers, approximately 256 bags are ready to go to 130 locations.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, 12 vans and trucks will load up as Santa’s “sleighs” and depart from the spacious bays at the Middlesex (Urbanna) Volunteer Fire Department, traveling the length and breadth of the county to deliver the bags of gifts.
Maps will guide the crews to their delivery areas where all are expected to use GPS to find the homes. Just in case, if you are expecting a delivery please be sure your house address is visible from the street.
Also, please be home between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday if you are expecting a delivery. Gifts will not be left on a doorstep or porch unless someone is at the home.
Now in its 40th year, Christmas Friends Inc. is sponsored by the Southside Sentinel and the Middlesex County Department of Social Services. Hundreds of volunteers and donors in the community make the program possible.
Monetary donations are still needed and can be brought to the Southside Sentinel office at 276 Virginia St. in Urbanna or mailed to Christmas Friends Inc., c/o Southside Sentinel, P.O. Box 549, Urbanna, VA 23175. Checks should be made out to Christmas Friends Inc.
ChristmasFriends.org also contains a link for those who wish to donate funds through PayPal or a credit card.
Christmas Friends Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation and donations are tax-deductible.
Monetary contributors are recognized as Christmas Friends and their donations are listed weekly in the Sentinel. Contributors who wish to remain anonymous should request that their donations be listed as such. Memorial contributions also will be acknowledged.
Donations received through Dec. 17 total $19,578, including $8,490 for the past week.
Other individual donations include:
- In memory of Doris D. Hunt by Connie Jessie, $25.
- In memory of Mildred Townsend by Connie Jessie, $25.
- Anonymous, $250.
- In memory of Emerson and Jean Seitter, $100.
- Milly Wassum, $200.
- Anonymous, $50.
- In memory of Nick Fisher by Mom and Dad, $200.
- Chuck and Linda Leasure, $100.
- In memory of Judith Ford Eley, $3,000.
- In memory of Cynthia Barlowe by her family, $150.
- Clarence and Patricia Seamster, $100.
- Leasure’s Wrecker Service Inc., $200.
- In memory of: Becky B. Hicks and Alison B. Hull by Wayne and Betty Bray, $100.
- In memory of Justin Wyatt by Grandparents, Kenny and Bernice Wyatt, $100.
- In memory of our son, Derek Bristow. We miss you and love you, Marvin and Susan Hurley-Fowler $50.
- In memory of our Daddy, Derek Bristow. We miss you so much and love you. Brayson and Farrah Bristow, $50.
- In memory of our loved ones by Marvin and Susan Hurley-Fowler, $25.
- In honor of our grandchildren, Brayson and Farrah Bristow. We are so proud of you both. Marvin and Susan Hurley-Fowler, $25.
- In memory of Thomas Bland Norman given by Barbara and John M. Bareford Jr., $150.
- Anonymous, $100.
- Anonymous, $2,000.
- In memory of Marden and John M. Bareford Sr. given by Barbara and John M. Bareford Jr., $150.
- In memory of Christopher Oliva by Brenda and Joe Oliva, $100.
- In memory of our son, Matthew Anzivino, $100.
- Anonymous, $100.
- In memory of Fay N. Willaford given by Barbara and John M. Bareford Jr., $100.
- Anonymous, $100.
- Urbanna Baptist Church Harmony Class, $500.
- The Catherine Green Circle of Urbanna United Methodist Church, $140.
- Strother and Evie Scott, $200.
