Editor, Gazette-Journal:

 

The Mathews County Social Services Christmas store was held Dec. 13 and 14 at Kingston Parish. Peggy Hudgins, vice chair of the Social Services board, served as the manager of this project. The monetary and other donations from individuals and organizations throughout the community exceeded those of past years, allowing for purchases of gifts that filled the school bus and the trucks and made for a very full Christmas Store display.

 

Thanking the volunteers and those who donated to this annual project is always both a challenge and a joy. A challenge because there are too many to name without leaving someone out and they all played an important role in the program. A joy because there are so many civic groups and individuals who care enough to set aside their own hectic schedules at this time of year to make sure those less fortunate have a special day on Christmas. To put it in perspective, a total of 97 volunteers worked for 957 hours to make this year’s store another successful one. Two youth groups that must be mentioned for their special efforts are the Mathews High School Betas and the Boy Scouts of Troop 124 who helped with set up and the general store work. There were also special donations from Toys for Tots, the Lions Club, Central United Methodist Church and the Mathews Family YMCA.

 

This year, 352 adults and 194 children stopped at “the store” and 53 children also shopped at the Elf Shoppe. All of you who gave of your time or otherwise contributed to The Christmas Store are to be commended for your generosity and your compassion. You make our county a great place to live and work.

 

Jo Ann Wilson-Harfst

Director, Mathews County

Department of Social Services