Two long-time Mathews residents, each with a heart and passion for serving their community, will lead Saturday’s Mathews Christmas Parade. Raymond and Arma Willis were named grand marshals of the parade, which will begin at 1 p.m. from Thomas Hunter Middle School.

Mr. Willis has a long list of community organizations that he has been involved with for a number of years. He serves as president of the Mathews chapter of the NAACP, as vice president of Hands Across Mathews, is a member of the Mathews Rotary Club and is treasurer and member of the board of trustees at his church, Emmaus Baptist at North.

A Mathews native and graduate of Thomas Hunter High School, Mr. Willis said he loves helping others, and that’s what drives him to be so involved. “Just the idea of seeing people happy is what keeps me doing this,” he said. “In Mathews, there are a lot of people that need help.”

Willis said he started doing some part time volunteering for Hands Across...