The number of people needing help from the Richmond Christmas Fund this holiday season was the highest ever seen.
Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), which operates the Richmond Christmas Fund program, had handed out grocery vouchers, toys and gift cards to 3,856 low-income residents as of Dec. 18.
This is a 36-per-cent increase and the highest total of people needing help the not-for-profit has seen, according to Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG.
The Christmas program offered 13 registration days during which volunteers helped distribute items to Richmond residents looking for a hand to get through the holidays.
After volunteers worked nearly 50 hours, the Christmas Fund officially came to a close on Dec. 9.
Gavsie said the Christmas Funds' 80 volunteers went above and beyond this year, serving as registration assistants, greeters, toy-room assistants, data-entry helpers and toy sorters.
"They see the Christmas Fund more clearly and fully than anyone else. They know it's a program that can warm your heart but also break it."
Gavsie said the program has seen delight on people's faces when they can help them, but have also experienced frustration and anger from those, for one reason or another, who don't qualify for the Christmas Fund.
"These emotions are part of the program, too, and our volunteers take them in stride, remaining calm and respectful," he explained.
"Our volunteers were there every step of the way, experiencing it along with us. To say we're grateful doesn't even begin to describe it."
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