Having been a Richmond Times Dispatch reader since I was 20 years old, I have been following the Richmond Christmas Mother Program for decades. This long-standing tradition has always held a special place in my heart.
Anyone who knows me knows that “The Sound of Music” is one of my favorite movies. It recalls the song in my heart as I list some of MY FAVORITE THINGS of the Richmond Christmas Mother journey.
A memory that I will never forget is the overwhelming “IN AWE” feeling when I was asked to be the 91st Richmond Christmas Mother. It is a feeling that has not faded even after this joyfully busy six months. It will always be a FOREVER INCREDIBLE privilege to walk in the footsteps of the many remarkable women who have served in this role before me.
Thank you, Richmond Times Dispatch, for this wonderful opportunity to work alongside you and with the Richmond community, because none of this would happen without ALL OF US coming together.
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Thank you for letting me share my platform of “kindness” to so many…the most inexpensive gift we can give each other.
I loved every aspect of the Richmond Christmas Mother traditions…from participating in the parade with four of my grandchildren; to attending cotillions where some of my grandchildren were also participants; joining church groups; Women’s Clubs; Rotary Clubs; visiting Saint Nickolas at Maymont; sharing the joy with the children visiting Santa at The Black History Museum; along with seeing and enjoying our beloved Bill Martin at the Valentine Museum, not for a second knowing it would be our last visit. It was wonderful to visit McGuire Woods and Towne Bank, seeing both old friends and meeting new ones. All of these wonderful organizations both hosted me and supported the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund.
Some incredible memories I will forever hold dear include helping at a mobile food pantry one drizzly Saturday morning hosted by the Sheriff’s Office in the City of Richmond and Feed More at the city jail. Families came by car or with their wagons to fill in preparation for their Thanksgiving dinner. I have never experienced such gratefulness and genuine love from all of the recipients who were genuinely so happy as we all exchanged holiday wishes; going to visit past Richmond Christmas Mothers who are no longer able to go out; enjoying the fellowship of families coming to the Salvation Army to volunteer alongside parents and their children; spending time at the Diamond with Puritan Cleaners for a family day collecting coats to be refurbished for their next owners…all were equally meaningful experiences. Westminster Canterbury remains a charming host to the Richmond Christmas Mother. I loved seeing so many memorable community members at both the Mitten Tree Event and at the Gangster lunch.
If you ever need a hug, go to SOAR 365. Spending a morning with these fabulous individuals who are so happy to do arts and crafts, dancing and just having their pictures taken was pure innocent joy; visiting the ASK Association for childhood cancer to meet families facing unimaginable challenges with the most impressive moment – meeting the “real” Santa Claus at their event. Jim Eck is a retired Dominion Resources executive. His own child battled childhood cancer. When he retired from Dominion, he enrolled in nursing school because he felt inspired by the nurses who supported his child and family in unthinkable times. His nursing school let him take exams late so he could do his annual Santa visit with these families. I felt lucky to meet the “VERY REAL” Santa, touching not only children but the 2025 Richmond Christmas Mother as well. Attending the Fatherhood Foundation program was also touching. Children were given grocery carts of wrapped gifts from Santa with the promise to Santa that the gifts would remain wrapped until Christmas. But the lure was to get Dads to come to the event who were commended for being good dads through their journeys of having sick children in the hospital or even having injuries or illnesses themselves. These dads were offered small monetary gifts to get their families through the holidays. Many Dads were moved to tears and asked if they could hug me. These men think they have to remain stoic and it is all on them, but to see their vulnerability in difficult times and their deep appreciation for being remembered during those tough times, well, another forever memory, created by the good works of this wonderful organization.
As of Sunday, 372,580.00 has been raised thanks to the incredible extraordinary power of the generous RVA Community.
5640 individuals were served by the Salvation Army Tree program this year, a 20% increase from last year.
91,000.00 was donated from the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund this year to Feed More, who have seen a 35% increase in need.
I have cherished all of the messages attached to many of the gifts, each telling a Richmond story all by themselves. So many organizations, family businesses, neighborhoods came together to make significant gifts IN HONOR of the Christmas Mother Fund. Richmonders have shared some of their favorite messages read in the paper, but as all of us Mothers know, we never talk about our own favorites out loud. Each gift touched my heart.
Thank you, Richmond! Can you IMAGINE what might have happened if the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund had not raised $372,580.00 this year? (Donations are still being accepted in January). Thank you for not looking the other way as our neighbors struggle in silence. I hope you feel as I do…privileged that we could all “DO SOMETHING”. Thank you for being my SUPER HEROES this holiday season!
Wishing each and everyone of you only good wishes as we begin the 2026 New Year.
Forever Gratefulness,
Mary Jane Hogue
