The Shadow
Highlands Residents:
How can I ever thank the Christmas Mother Committee for having confidence in me and asking me to serve as the 2011 Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother? When I was asked, I struggled for three days and nights with the decision. I had worked with several previous Christmas Mothers and knew that it involves a great deal of dedication and hard work.
I wondered if I could handle such a momentous responsibility. Slowly it came to me that I would not be alone in the job. This is the most caring, compassionate and giving community imaginable. What a wonderful opportunity to give back to this community.
I immediately knew I wanted to keep Christ in the forefront since he is the reason we are celebrating. Therefore, I chose as my theme, “Honor the Christ Child with Your Gifts to Others.”
As I met the applicants, each one touched my heart. The needs of the people, representing 470 families and approximately 150 Scott Hill, Covington Manor and nursing home residents, are simple but great. Parents were most interested in their children having a joyous Christmas.
The Christmas Mother Program this year provided each child with clothing and toys. Among household items received by families were sheets, towels, curtains, bedspreads, pots and pans, Christmas trees and decorations and cleaning and paper supplies. Especially appreciated by families was the food they were provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, as well as a generous amount of additional food items. On distribution days applicants enjoyed choosing gently used items which so many of you donated.
All this was accomplished by the generosity and kindness of this community.
A sincere thank you to all organizations, schools, churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals who made it possible through either monetary donations or donation of new and gently used goods. The caring, giving community I referred to above includes a multitude of volunteers and I am thankful for each and everyone of them.
Every volunteer, whether you were a staff member, shop worker, shopper, sorted items or bagged food, is invaluable to the success of the program. Local restaurants, Joe Wilson, Sandi Bradley, Teenie Kegley, Louise Lipes, Bonnie Lockhart and Alvina Nida saw to it that the shop workers were well fed each day.
I am overwhelmed by the support and love of my friends, co-workers, church family and strangers who wanted to help.
I want to thank my husband, Gene Young, for providing support and a great deal of physical labor. Thank you to Debbie Byer, the Alleghany County Circuit Court clerk, who encouraged me to accept the role of Christmas Mother and offered so much support. Thank you Men of Missions, Kiwanis Club, David Gum and Toys for Tots, Steve Mercer, Becky Throckmorten, Harriet Woodward, Brenda Lindsay and the Mountain Regional Hospice nurses and volunteers, and my co-workers at the Clerk’s Office for stepping in when needed.
Thank you Caleb Carpenter and Brightwork for the concert you held at Good News Christian Church. There is no way to describe what Gavin Dressler, photographer for the Virginian Review, means to the Christmas Mother Program. I am the 21st Christmas Mother he has photographed. More importantly, he kept me on schedule, loaded his car up when mine would not hold all the donations, and unloaded them when we arrived back at the shop. Besides, he is just a delightful person to be around.
As much as I want to, I cannot list every individual, church or organization that assisted the program. Please know that I appreciate every one of you. Together we worked to insure that the families, including approximately 600 children and 140 teenagers, will be warm, well fed and smiling on Christmas morning. It is my hope that all families in our community will recall happy memories of their Christmas such as those I have from my own childhood.
As you enjoy Christmas day with your family and friends, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
This community has truly Honored me with the Christ Child with Gifts to Others. I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012.
May God continue to bless our community in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Young
2011 Christmas Mother
