For 89 years, the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund organized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch has aimed to bring Christmas to less fortunate families in Richmond.
As Richmond Christmas Mother for 2024, Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson says it’s her goal to encourage others to give back to the community.
Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson is one of Richmond’s top dermatologists and currently practices at Forefront Dermatology in Glen Allen.
“Whether it’s through volunteering at a mobile food pantry, volunteering at the distribution center, or just helping out a neighbor, I encourage people to extend a helping hand. That’s really my goal, is to help encourage people to honor the humanity that we all share,” Johnson said.
The Christmas Mother Fund secures and provides resources for families in need during the holiday season by partnering with the Salvation Army of Central Virginia, The Community Foundation and Feed More.
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Johnson learned about compassion and giving back to the community from her mother, who passed away just before she stepped into the Christmas Mother role.
“When I first was approached about being the 2024 Richmond Christmas Mother, it was last year and we had just lost my mother. And so it was certainly a time when I was thinking very much about her and what it meant to have the kind of mother that she was,” Johnson said.
“I’m certainly blessed to have had such a wonderful mother and really she exemplified what it means to be caring and loving and generous and self-sacrificing for the benefit of others, and we’re fortunate that she not only did that for her six children and her family, but she did that for so many other people.”
Her mother, Evora Williams Jones, was an English professor at Virginia Union University.
Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson learned about compassion and giving back to the community from her mother, who died just before she stepped into the Christmas Mother role.
How the Christmas Mother helps families
One of Richmond’s top dermatologists, Johnson has more than 20 years of experience and currently practices at Forefront Dermatology in Glen Allen.
As Richmond Christmas Mother for 2024, Johnson is the ambassador for the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, and she will be the face of the initiative for the holiday season to increase awareness of the fund and the various organizations that benefit from it.
Around 50 nonprofits will benefit from grants from the fund that will help them distribute food, gifts and clothing to families, children and seniors in the Greater Richmond area. The Richmond Christmas Mother program also receives contributions from Times-Dispatch readers and advertisers.
Johnson says she hopes to raise a record amount for the fund.
Last year, the program collected more than $358,008.06 in donations, thanks to efforts by 2023 Richmond Christmas Mother Jacquelin Ukrop Aronson.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Richmond Christmas Mother Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson and the Richmond Times-Dispatch,” said Aaron McClung, chief development officer at Feed More. “The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund will once again help Feed More spread holiday cheer across our region, enabling us to provide thousands of families experiencing food insecurity with the wholesome, nourishing meals they need to thrive.”
Johnson chose to work with Crossover Healthcare Ministry, a nonprofit organization that provides health care to uninsured and Medicaid patients, and the Kids on the Move program, which links with organizations that want to empower active living to children to improve lives and strengthen communities.
“It’s been exciting and it’s been fun thus far, although I feel that really the activity is just about to begin now that we’re into November,” she said. “We’ve been meeting with our partners ... to learn more about what they do and what this holiday season will look like in terms of serving our community, and how the Richmond Christmas Mother will partner with them to help meet the needs of our community.”
“And then we have several activities coming up through the months of November and December where I’ll actually get out and and work in the community and meet the people who are being served by these organizations and also be a part of the service activities that are helping our community.”
As Richmond Christmas Mother for 2024, Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson says her goal “is to help encourage people to honor the humanity that we all share.”
A few activities include assisting with the Angel Tree Program, which she participated in prior to becoming Richmond Christmas Mother, and visiting residents at Westminster Canterbury who are sewing, knitting and crocheting mittens for people who need them.
She will also be participating in the Twilight 1-Mile Run, a part of the December Tacky Light Run by Kids on the Move and Sports Backers.
“I’ll have an opportunity to run with the kids for that,” she said.
Johnson says she is excited about an upcoming opportunity to meet with middle schoolers and their families who have donated to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, having the chance to thank people in person and help them understand how important it is for them to give to those who are in need.
“I’ll be able to thank them in person and put a face to the fund so that they know that there’s somebody who really appreciates the work that they’re doing,” Johnson said.
“The Christmas season tends to bring out the best in people, and I feel like I’m just a small part of it. I’m honored to be in this role, but really my role is so small because it’s the people who are out there doing the work, the organizations, our major partners, like the Salvation Army and Feed More and United Way are really doing so much work to make sure that the resources get to the organizations and the people who need them. So I’m happy to be able to be a part of it.”
Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson says she hopes to raise a record amount for the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. Visit go.richmond.com/christmasmother to donate online.
Remembering the Thalhimers Department Store Toy Parade
Preparations were underway on Nov. 18, 1958, for the Thalhimers Toy Parade.
11-17-1951 (cutline): A daschund smiles on spectators lining curb. The dog was a figure in last night's Toy Parade.
11-27-1963 (cutline): Forty-foot whale frown at fascinated fans at Toy Parade.
A two-headed cat balloon is pulled along Broad Street on Nov. 18, 1959, during the Thalhimers Toy Parade.
On Nov. 16, 1946, a penguin float is prepared for the Thalhimers Toy Parade.
11-23-1966: Castle on the Move--Smiling princesses and attending knights wave to crowd that lined Broad Street last night to watch the Thalhimers Toy Parade. An estimated 50,000 persons turned out to see the annual event.
Caricatures of exotic beasts take shape in front of the Broad Street Station on Nov. 21, 1967, in preparation for the 22nd annual Thalhimers Toy Parade. The building is now the Science Museum of Virginia. From 1929 to 1972, the parade was a staple in Richmond, held just before or after Thanksgiving except during the World War II years.
A cat balloon rolls down Broad Street on Nov. 26, 1968, during the 23rd annual Thalhimers Toy Parade, for which an estimated 100,000 people turned out. The parade, which ended at Thalhimers, featured giant balloons, ponies, horses, clowns, firemen, drill teams, high school bands and numerous majorettes.
11-20-1948 (cutline): Youngsters and parents enjoy huge 'Little King' in last night's parade.
11-22-1970: Dragon float at Toy Parade.
11-20-1953 (cutline): Mrs. Joseph Sonneborn checks the pressure of her bears.
11-30-1952 (cutline): Richmond's recent toy parade was both a preview and alarm bell for sluggish shoppers who are finding the stores well stocked with holiday merchandise of every description.
11-22-1970: Toy Parade, view from Belvidere and Broad.
