The Shadow
Holly Peters, 2019 Highlands Christmas Mother, presented her final report recently to members of the Highlands Christmas Mother, Inc., Board of Directors during a meeting at the Parish Hall of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Covington.
The 2019 Christmas Mother Program received 438 applications and served 1,352 individuals: 655 adults, 571 children, and 126 teens (13-18 years of age if still in high school).
The program serves Covington, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Low Moor and Alleghany County residents.
The Christmas Mother Shop was located in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Locust Street. Food, household products and teen bags were distributed from First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Locust and Maple streets.
The $51,090 in donations received was spent to purchase items for needy residents of the Highlands as follows: food, $22,932; clothing $5,167; household goods, $8,763; teen items, $2,006; toys, $5,262.
Ancillary expenses, including office expenses, postage and telephone, amounted to $4,873. All items and food are purchased locally.
Of the remaining balance, the board voted to donate $500 to First Presbyterian Church for heating and utility expenses and $500 to Sacred Heart Catholic Church for heating, utility and floor cleaning expenses. The board also voted to give $1,000 to Covington City Schools and $1,000 to Alleghany County Schools for their clothing and shoe funds which provide items for needy students.
Any remaining funds will be used to begin the 2020 program in September.
Contributions were received from businesses, $15,999; churches, $7.755; individuals, $18,055; organizations, $8,515 and schools, $765.
All of the funds received are used to help needy residents in the Highlands. The Christmas Mother, her volunteer staff, and members of the board of directors do not receive any compensation for their duties. The program is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Holly chose as her theme “Have the Love of Christ in your Heart.”
Holly stated, “Over the years I have been involved in various volunteer and civic organizations, but I think this program has the most unbelievable support of individuals, businesses, churches and organizations in our area. Everyone works together and gives of their time, talents and treasurers to make sure that those less fortunate have a wonderful Christmas. I am thankful to live in this community.”
The mission of the Christmas Mother Program is to help provide a merry Christmas for all area applicants meeting the poverty guidelines. Holly was the 71st Christmas Mother to serve the Alleghany Highlands.
