Bath Christmas Mother Shops Opens

Hot Springs, VA – The Bath County Christmas Mother shop opened on Tuesday and volunteers went right to work organizing and wrapping gifts that will make Christmas merry for many in Bath County. Becky White is this year’s Christmas Mother.

“We have over 135 applications; we have 322 individuals” says White. “Out of that 322, I have 25 children that I would love to adopt. All the other children have been adopted and there’s still time to adopt, so anyone who would like to do that, please call the shop.”

The Christmas Mother shop is also putting together personal necessity boxes.

“These are boxes that our local churches get involved with the Christmas Mother program and help us” she says. “This year we have decided to help some of our families and individuals by helping them with boxes of detergent and extra toilet paper.”

If you want to help with the personal necessity boxes, you can drop off items at the Christmas Mother shop. Monetary donations are accepted for the Christmas Mother program, or you can adopt an individual or a family and buy gifts. And you can help out at the shop by wrapping gifts.

“One of the things that has stuck with me is the need is just so great” she says “and it just breaks your heart that there’s so many needs and the Christmas Mother program cannot do everything. It teaches me to be thankful for what I have and to be compassionate to the ones that do not.”

The Christmas Mother Shop is in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs. It will be open through December 15, weekdays from 9 until 2:30. Sandra Phillips of Mitchelltown was at the shop on Tuesday, wrapping gifts.

“We’re just having a wonderful time” she says “there’s been so many gifts brought in and we’re wrapping. I like to volunteer for this because over the years I’ve worked and I never have got to do this. I’ll probably come three or four days a week and we will be busy.”

Angie Keyser of Hot Springs is managing the Christmas Mother shop this year. This is her first year volunteering at the shop.

“I help Becky with whatever is needed” she says. “If anybody has something that they think might be useful, please contact the Christmas mother and let us know those items that you think are in good condition and might be useful to a family – that would be really appreciated.”

For more information call the Christmas Mother shop at 839-5683.