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Governor McDonnell, first family serve Christmas Eve meal

Posted at 6:33 PM, Dec 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-24 18:34:39-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and members of the first family served Christmas Eve meals to men at the Healing Place in Richmond. The Healing Place helps men struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

"It's a great blessing for us to see these men that have had tough times in their lives loving each other, believing in God, having the confidence that they're going to beat their challenges and it's very inspirational to us," Governor McDonnell said.
"No matter whether you're governor or you've hit rock bottom because of substance abuse, every day you make a decision as to whether you're going to serve God, serve other people and do the right thing."

Governor McDonnell took off his tie and put on a hairnet to he serve the meals.

He said 70 percent of the people who come into the Healing Place for help leave clean and don't come back.

The governor said he planned to spend his last Christmas as governor in the Governor's Mansion.