Solicitation letters for this year’s Mathews Ruritan Club Christmas Blessing Fund will be mailed in early December, according to Charles H. “Sonny” Richardson Jr., chairman of the annual drive.

Since 1931, the Mathews Ruritan Club has sponsored this program which provides assistance for winter heating bills for Mathews County residents. Last year, 145 Mathews families received assistance through this program.Raymond Willis Sr. is honorary chairman for the 2022 Christmas Blessing Fund. A Mathews County native, Willis graduated from Thomas Hunter High School. He is married to Arma G. Willis; they have two children and two grandchildren. He retired from Dominion Energy after a 36-year career. He is a member of Emmaus Baptist Church and a past president of the Mathews NAACP. Willis is also a member of Hands Across Mathews, Mathews Rotary Club and Silver Leaf Lodge of Mathews. He belongs to five different lodges in Hampton and Newport News and he is a 33rd degree Mason.

“We are gla...