The Shadow
Linda Criser has been named the 2014 Bath County Christmas Mother. She is pictured here with her family. Seated are her husband Glen, holding granddaughter Carson, and Mrs. Criser. Second row, from left, son, Troy, holding grandson Chase; daughter-in-law Sara, Florence Lindsay, Linda’s mother; daughter Pam Ginger; granddaughters Kenzie and Kiley Ginger. Back row, from left, grandson Connor Ginger and son-in-law Mike Ginger. (Photo Courtesy Linda Criser)
Linda Criser has been named the 2014 Bath County Christmas Mother. She is pictured here with her family. Seated are her husband Glen, holding granddaughter Carson, and Mrs. Criser. Second row, from left, son, Troy, holding grandson Chase; daughter-in-law Sara, Florence Lindsay, Linda’s mother; daughter Pam Ginger; granddaughters Kenzie and Kiley Ginger. Back row, from left, grandson Connor Ginger and son-in-law Mike Ginger. (Photo Courtesy Linda Criser)
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WARM SPRINGS — Linda Criser has been named Bath County Christmas Mother for 2014.
She will preside over the 22nd season of the Bath Christmas Mother Program, which has blessed many individuals and families over the years.
Criser says she loves the Christmas season and everything it entails. She has worked with the various tasks of the Christmas Mother program for several years – adopting, donating, shopping, wrapping and organizing gifts.
She acknowledges that working in the program makes her holiday seasons even more meaningful.
“It is amazing to see the many committees and volunteers work tirelessly to bring this program to fruition each year,” Criser said. “The Christmas shop is filled with excitement and all who enter the shop are amazed as to the generosity of individuals, churches, schools, businesses and families. The spirit of Christmas prevails in Bath County, making anyone involved with the program, whether residents of Bath County or other far-reaching locations, feel an immense amount of pride in the county.”
She added, “It is a tremendous honor and privilege to have been chosen to serve as the 2014 Christmas Mother.”
Criser has chosen a quote from Mother Teresa as her theme this year, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”
Giving is accomplished through monetary donations, adopting an individual or family, donating new items, and/or volunteering time for program tasks.
Francis of Assisi said, “For it is in giving that we receive” and Criser is hoping that those contributing in some way to the Christmas Mother Program will have their spirit of Christmas enriched.
“Many families in the county are facing hardships and are already living on limited incomes,” she explained. “The purpose of the Christmas Mother Program is to serve individuals and families during the Christmas season with food, fuel assistance in January, if funds are available, and gifts for children and seniors.”
Last year, the Christmas Mother Program generously served 140 families and 309 individuals. The requests from the program participants can range from food, warm clothing, shoes, small household items, and toys for children.
Criser says, “My hope on Christmas morning is that I helped in making the holiday a little brighter for others.”
Criser was born and raised in Bath County, the daughter of Florence Carpenter Lindsay and the late Wilbur Carpenter. She has one brother, Wilbur Carpenter, Jr. and sister-in-law, Linda, who reside in Covington. She graduated from Valley High School and attended Montreat-Anderson College, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Madison College.
She worked for the Bath County Public Schools in the Central Office as a Secretary/Clerk for 34 years until she retired in 2008.
Criser has been married to her husband, Glen, for 48 years and together they have raised two children, a daughter, Pam, and son Troy. Both of her children live in Gainesville with their families.
Pam is married to Mike Ginger, another Bath County native, and they have three children: Connor, 19, a sophomore at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.; Kiley, 17, an upcoming attendee of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.; and Kenzie, 12, a seventh grade student at Bull Run Middle School.
Troy and his wife, Sara, have two children: Carson, 6, a kindergartener at Glenkirk Elementary, and Chase, an active 2 year old.
Criser is active in her church, Ashwood United Methodist, and lists reading, scrapbooking, and traveling as interests. She credits her mother and father with raising her in church and always making the Lord’s birth as the center of Christmas.
This is the true meaning of Christmas for her.
For the Christmas Mother Program to be successful, tremendous support is needed from individuals, churches, civic organizations and businesses throughout the county, she explained.
All monetary gifts, large or small, are greatly appreciated because financial support is an absolute necessity.
Those wishing to adopt a family or individual, or those wanting to make a donation, should contact Criser as soon as possible. Please contact her by mail at P.O. Box 292, Hot Springs, Va. 24445, by email at glpt@tds.net, or by phone, before Nov. 28 at 540-679-9118.
Many volunteers have agreed to work with the Christmas Mother to ensure the success of this huge undertaking. Volunteers this year include our past Christmas Mothers, along with:
Jackie Stephenson, Shop Manager;
Alice Stern, Co-Shop Manager;
Linda Vinson, Computer Input;
Ann Snead, Treasurer;
Susan Bailey, Shopping Coordinator;
Jane Lyle, Food Assistance Coordinator;
Anita Wolfe, Co-Food Assistance;
Debbie Young, Fuel Assistance Coordinator;
Sandra Phillips, Wrapper Coordinator;
Cherie Beale, Lunch Coordinator.
Criser said, “We will need extra volunteers to shop for people who are not adopted.”
Help is also needed to wrap packages and to prepare lunch for the Christmas Mother Shop volunteers. Many of the volunteers spend every day, all day, working in the shop. The individuals and businesses that have helped in the past by providing a lunch to the volunteers is what kept the shop workers going throughout the day.
If you are able to provide a lunch for the shop volunteers, please contact Cherie Beale at 540-839-7275.
Criser gives many thanks for the support of Hot Springs Presbyterian Church for housing the food pantry and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for giving the Christmas Mother Shop a home.
The Christmas Mother Shop will be open in the Parish Hall Dec. 1-12. The shop hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How To Apply For Christmas Mother
Services
Those seeking assistance from the Bath County Christmas Mother Program need to fill out an application and be interviewed.
Applicants should bring their Medicaid card, food stamps and/or TANF cards, as well as a current pay stub or tax return, when they apply. Past recipients will receive an application by mail. Applicants will be notified by mail if they are approved for services.
Applications and interviews will be taken on the following dates:
Wednesday, Oct. 15: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church;
Thursday, Oct. 16: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Woodland Union Church;
Monday, Oct. 20: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church;
Tuesday, Oct. 21: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Those applying for fuel assistance (if funds are available) should bring their fuel account information and must have their account number.
All information concerning the candidates remains confidential.
Beginning Dec. 1, the shop telephone number is (540) 839-LOVE (5683), with telephone services being donated by TDS Telecom.
Past Bath County Christmas Mothers include: Darlene Carpenter, 2013; Kim Brown, 2012; Angie Keyser, 2011; Becky White, 2010; Helen Smith, 2009; Marty Reese, 2008; Trudy Woodzell, 2007; Marion Kober, 2006; Sarah Redington, 2005; Kelly Rosenberg, 2004; Susan Bailey, 2003; Holly Wisehart, 2002; Ann Warner, 2001; Kathie Schwend, 2000; Mary Hodges, 1999; Virginia Nowlin, 1998; Jane Lyle, 1997; Chris Stinespring, 1996; Betty Sue Eye, 1995; Linda Westenburger, 1994; Pat Lucas, 1993 and 1992.
