Christmas is a time of happiness and joy. A time when families get together for food and fun. A time to exchange presents. But, not everyone has the means to provide extra food or presents at Christmas. That’s when the Christmas Mother programs step in to help make the holidays a little merrier.
Meet the 2024 Henrico Christmas Mother
Linda R. Melton, the 2024 Henrico Christmas Mother, is following in the footsteps of her mother, Charlotte W. Melton, who served as the 2000 Henrico Christmas Mother.
“She encouraged me just a little,” says Melton of being this year’s Christmas Mother. “I also saw the impact my mother had on the community. They still see my mom as the Christmas Mother.”
Melton chose to volunteer for the program because it has no boundaries as far as race, creed, color, origin, etc. “It’s an organization that does a lot for Henrico and its’ citizens,” she says, noting she began volunteering in 2021. “If you want to give back to the community, why not give back through the Christmas Mother.”
A member of the toy committee, Melton helps purchase toys that will be given out at Christmas. “We select toys that are age appropriate, and we help people select toys that fit their family’s needs,” she says.
The committee shops for toys all over town. “We go wherever we can find the best toys for the best amount. We shop as a group and individually as well,” she says.
The organization also receives support and donations (mostly canned goods) from Henrico County Public Schools. A new fundraiser this year, Making Spirits Bright Night, celebrated Christmas in July to benefit the Henrico Christmas Mother.
“We had it to help buy gift cards, toys, clothing and items for seniors and the disabled,” Melton says.
In her current role, Melton meets with civic minded organizations such as Rotary Clubs.
“My first speaking engagement was Women in the NAACP (WIN) Henrico Chapter,” she says. “Wherever and whoever needs to hear about Henrico Christmas Mother is where I will be.”
Melton’s more than 40 years experience in the banking industry coupled with her participation in boards and other organizations has provided her with opportunities to help the community in other ways as well.
In 2014, she was appointed to the Virginia Fair Housing Board by Governor Terry McAuliffe and reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam in 2019. She is a member of The Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Richmond Chapter of the Links, Inc. and St. Peter Baptist Church.
As the Community Outreach Officer and Vice President at Fulton Bank in Richmond, she is responsible for delivering the Fulton Forward initiatives, everything from affordable housing and home ownership to job training and workforce development.
Through the Christmas Mother program, she met a young lady working as a shopper who had been talking about some hurdles she had faced in her life. “I automatically clicked into my day job and started telling her things she could do to help with her finances. I shared some pointers,” she says.
She finds the same open communication to often be true with people she meets in her role as Christmas Mother. “Some people you bond with and really hear what they are saying. Some people open up to you and some people don’t. For the most part, people who benefit from Henrico Christmas Mother are very appreciative,” she says. “It makes what you do even more impactful. You appreciate what you do to help them through the holiday season.”
This year, the organization will be taking applications starting October 7. Distribution will start December 6. Melton hopes to raise $265,000 to help 1,550 families.
“It’s an honor to be considered for Christmas Mother,” she says. “I am going to do my very best to represent Henrico Christmas Mother the best way I possibly can.”
For information or to donate, visit henricochristmasmother.org
Meet the 2024 Chesterfield Christmas Mother
Cheri Searles has always dreamed of helping others. In 2012, she decided to make that dream come true. After two years of searching for a nonprofit that was a good fit, she found a home in the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program.
“I’ve been dedicated to that program since 2014,” says Searles, the 2024 Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother.
In 2023 Searles became chair of the toy committee. “I am a 365-day a year volunteer in charge of purchasing all the toys for children. I shop for 12 months,” she says. “This year we will purchase over 1,600 toys. We go wherever the best sales can be found. We get great toys for the kids.”
Searles also takes advantage of online sales and has set up an Amazon wish list for toys. “People from around the world can go on and purchase a toy and it ships to the Christmas Mother,” she says.
All the toys bought and collected are housed in storage units during the year. “We partner with Dunbar Moving Systems. They take and move the toys to a large warehouse at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds where we do our distribution every year,” Searles say, noting the Christmas Mother takes applications the third week of September. “If someone is in need of help, they can go to Chesterfield County Fairgrounds and apply in person.”
Families who receive help from the Christmas Mother are given books, toys, clothing and a food gift card. “Teens don’t get toys. They get gift cards,” Searles says, adding she loves the fact that children receive books. “I love reading and literacy. I think it’s amazing that we can give the number of books that we can.”
This year the organization will hold a golf tournament, the Merry Links Golf Classic, on October 7 at The Golf Club at the Highlands as a fundraiser. “We are looking for players and sponsors for the tournament, dinner and silent auction,” Searles says. “We had our first one last year, and it was very well received. We thought it was a great success.”
As the Christmas Mother, Searles is the face of the organization. Her responsibilities include everything from appearing in parades to spreading awareness in the community often at events like farmer’s markets.
“Anyone can request us to come out to an event. It is very exciting to have the opportunity to represent our committee,” she says.
Even though she represents the organization, Searles still wants to be true to herself. “I don’t have a traditional way,” she says.
She met her husband, Adam, — the two married in Las Vegas in a wedding chapel — while playing online video games. “My earliest childhood memory is playing video games. That’s how I learned math,” she says.
Now, Searles plays video games on Twitch, a subsidiary of Amazon. The platform is for people to watch and learn how to play the games. “People get to know us. I am a variety streamer with a focus on the Diablo franchise. Every month I have a my mission of the month and I raise funds for that nonprofit,” she says, adding that people from around the world follow her.
Volunteering is equally important to Searles who grew up receiving help from the community.
“I was very excited to show the world you can grow up receiving help and turnaround and help others later in life. That’s the driving force behind my volunteering,” she says. “I wouldn’t be where I am without people in the community helping me while I was growing up.”
For more information or to donate, visit cchchristmasmother.com
