The 2020 Mathews Ruritan Club Christmas Blessing Fund is preparing to distribute funds for heating costs to deserving Mathews County citizens.

Unsolicited donations of $9,555.40 have been received thus far, according to the fund’s secretary/treasurer Raymond Hunley.

Although the fund did not set a goal or send out mail requests this year because of COVID-19 and other concerns, the residents, churches and organizations “still came through with their wonderful generosity and love,” Hunley said. By using some reserve funds, the fund will be able to help the same number of recipients this year as last with the same amount of monetary help.

There is still time to make a donation to help the recipients as there are no overhead costs. Tax-deductible contributions to assist needy families in Mathews with home heating costs may be sent to: Christmas Blessing Fund, P.O. Box 74, Mathews, Va. 23109. If you have any questions, contact Charles H. (Sonny) Richardson Jr. at 804-815-8422.

Thus far, donations were received from: Scott F. Abeel, Dinah S. Ashberry, Carson H. and Polly W. Barnes, Bay Properties, Bethel United Methodist Church in Honor of Church Musicians, John A. III and Lori Jackson Black, Jane D. Blanock, T.C., III, and Martha C. Bowen, Karen J. and Charles W. Bridges, John E. and Rebecca W. Brown, Bernard C. and Amelia M. Buchanan Sr., John Lee Callis in Honor of Loved Ones, Paul Townsend Sunday School Class Central United Methodist Church, Central United Methodist Church, Central United Methodist Women.

Also, Doris W. and Gordon Terry Clarke, Richard I. Clements, Margaret E. (Libby) Crawford, Gaylen Davis, Joseph B. and Beverly M. Diggs, Audrey R. Faulkner, Susan E. Fauver, Sandra J. Forrest, David N. and Suzanne M. Freeman, Kathryn K. Freeman in Memory of Louis and Adele Knight, Eunice P. Garrett, Nina W. and Pete Guy, Claudia K. Hale, Peter R. Hall, Debra F. and Earl W. Hancock Jr., Spencer R. Jr. and Linda Hodges, John E. Horner, Pat Hudgins, William E. Jr. and Deborah H. Hudgins, Charles H. and Carol M. Hudgins, Peggy D. Hudgins.

Also, Fleta W. Hunley, James E. and Janet B. Husband, Judith M. Jay, Gene E. and Sylvia R. Jenkins, Arthur H. and Susan L. Jennette, William C. and Carolyn A. Joyce, Candace F. Junker in Honor of the Modica Family, Paul and Nancy B. Katsuki, Paul and Nancy B. Katsuki in Honor of Friendship Class of Mathews Chapel UMC, Maryann Lafriniere and Lewis J. Hubbard, Louis M. and Marianne Lawrence Jr., Reed B. Lawson, William B. and Peggy Leigh, Juanita B. Lewis, Mathews Baptist Church, Mathews Ruritan Club, Diana McDonald, Cheryl H. Mise.

Also, James Russell Mitchem, David N. and Mildred L. Montgomery, Brenda L. Moore, Pam M. and Nelson Morris, Allen S. and Elma J. Moughon, Christopher A. and Patricia B. Moughon, New Point Friends Church, Paul C. and Virginia P. Owens, L. Kendall Jr. and Karen P. Palmer, Janice H. Phillips, Florence F. Rainier, Carl Wilson and Donna K. Roane Jr., Howard R. and Maureen P. Sampson, Delores P. Sanger, Joseph M. and Jane F. Senyk, James M. Shinault II.

Also, William S. and Charlene R. Small, Mary Wade H. Smith, Paul B. and Mary Ellen Stimson, William F. and Martha Van B. Story, Virginia L. Sutton, Tidewater Newspapers, Inc., L. Frederick Tomlinson Sr., Shawn E. and Janice W. Towne, Barbara and Peter Van Emmerik, Paul A. and Rachel A. Vanden Bout, Paul S. and Elsa C. Verbyla, Barbara J. Via, Patricia A. and James J. Walsh, Robert W. and Elizabeth J. West, John T. White III, William H. and Mary B. Whitley, Frederick B. Wynn, Kathy O. Yent in Memory of Donald Yent, Barbara Harvey, John Van Over, Beth Kloke and Suzy Jones.