The Shadow
Thank you, Alleghany Highlands, for making the 2019 Christmas Mother Program a tremendous success.
I was honored to serve as the 71st Christmas Mother. I cannot begin to thank everyone who helped this year. You are all dear to my heart and a true blessing to our generous community.
My theme, “Have the Love of Christ in Your Heart,” was certainly a good choice. My experience with the program will truly be one of my fondest memories in years to come.
First, thank you to my exceptional team and the incredible job they did managing their respective areas. You lined up volunteers, took applications, manned the office, answered phones, made phone calls, matched up special requests with donations, unloaded, collected, sorted, counted, organized, repaired, washed, shopped, purchased, prepared bags of various items, picked up and prepared food, addressed envelopes, entered data, recorded finances, and printed reports; just to name a few of the jobs well done. You are the heart of the program. I am forever grateful to each one of you.
To the many businesses, organizations, churches, various groups and clubs and individuals, I am so very appreciative and thankful for your numerous donations. You gave donations of time and service, of money and in-kind gifts, of food, of new and used clothing, toys and bikes as well as various household items including mattresses, beds and other furniture. You cut and delivered loads of wood. You took care of the monumental printing needs of the program. You took the time to collect, gather and deliver. Thank you to each and every individual who so generously gave their time.
Thank you to the local retailers who made in-kind donations, collected toys, placed special orders, gave us price breaks, and loaded mountains of supplies into our vehicles. A special thank you to the employees of these stores who patiently helped find items, waited on us as we checked out large orders and then helped us load it all. We could not have done it without your help. A special thank you also goes out to the Toys for Tots program and the Greenbrier Create a Dream Tree project, both of whom donated numerous toys for the children. Your caring, kindness and generosity is most appreciated.
Thank you to all the local restaurants, food establishments, and individuals who provided meals, snacks, treats, desserts, and drinks to feed the many volunteers who worked daily in various capacities to accomplish all the jobs needing to be done. Everything was delicious!
To all the area youth, Boys Home students, school groups and clubs, sports groups, pageant queens, Scout groups, church groups and individuals, all who donated time and service, money and needed toys as well as other items, bless you. You sorted, counted, bagged groceries, made crafts, prepared gifts for distribution, loaded and unloaded cars. Thank you for giving up your time to help others. There are not enough words to adequately say thank you.
Thank you to all the churches, organizations, businesses, families and individuals who adopted families. You helped the program by making Christmas special for those you adopted.
To the congregation of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and First Presbyterian Church, thank you for graciously opening your doors and loaning us your buildings for the duration of the program. We are most grateful.
Another thank you goes out to those who provided publicity. The Virginian Review, The Alleghany Journal, and all those who posted on Facebook. I appreciate you keeping the public informed.
Thank you to all the organizations, groups, individuals, and law enforcement agencies who came out to help set up the shop, pick up and deliver during the time the shop was open, direct traffic, load cars, in the freezing weather, during distribution days, and take down the shop at the end. You are all amazing.
Thank you to The Men of Mission. They are there from Day One and every single day until the very end. They donate, plan, organize, pick up, deliver and basically do anything and everything asked. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Again, I would like to thank everyone who helped to make my year as the 2019 Christmas Mother a truly memorable experience.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Holly Peters
2019 Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother
