OK, most of us haven’t even bought our Thanksgiving turkey yet, but up at the North Pole, Santa and his team of elves are already preparing for Christmas.
Closer to home, he relies on volunteers to make holiday wishes come true, via the Richmond Christmas Fund.
This year’s recruitment process is now underway, with applications being accepted for registration assistants, toy sorters, gift wrappers, drivers, and more.
Operated by Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), the fund is supported annually by well over 100 volunteers, who work to ensure that low-income families can celebrate the holidays with a warm meal and gifts under the tree.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Christmas Fund,” said Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG.
“The time they give makes an enormous difference, and is absolutely critical to the program’s success. It’s impossible to overstate their impact.”
In 2017, 118 volunteers contributed 2,133 hours, allowing the Christmas Fund to help 2,162 low-income residents – a 25 per cent increase over the previous year.
While many of those same volunteers will return this holiday season, there are still numerous openings to be filled.
“As demand for the program grows, we need all the help we can get,” added Gavsie.
“The Christmas Fund offers volunteer opportunities for everyone – high school students, new immigrants, entire families. We can find a role that works for you.”
Visit RCRG.org to view a complete list of Christmas Fund volunteer opportunities, and to apply online.
The Richmond Christmas Fund mobilizes the community’s spirit of giving to make holiday wishes come true for 2,000 low-income Richmond residents each year.
Those who register with the program receive grocery vouchers, while children under 18 years old also receive toys, books, sports equipment, and gift cards.
