RICHMOND, Va. -- Spreading joy this holiday season to children and families in need. That’s a tall order one local nonprofit is struggling with this year.
It has been a year marked by decreased donations and challenges for the Lucian Hunter Foundation of Hope.
Pamela Hazelwood said the nonprofit serves the community by carrying out her great grandfather’s legacy of education and helping area students.
The group is putting out an urgent call for help after hitting a pretty big bump in the road.
“The organization that usually sponsors us every year, one of their group homes caught fire. That put a damper on the funds they were going to be allocating to us. So we are in a tough spot,” Hazelwood explained.
She and her volunteers are still holding onto hope that generous donors in the community will step up and help them pull off this Monday’s Christmas mission of providing holiday cheer for 150 families.
Donors can stop by 3003 Mechanicsville Turnpike over the next three days to drop off much-needed items.
“Toiletries, clothing, toys. Anything that can uplift the families for the holidays. We are trying to collect the items by Saturday,” Hazelwood said.
As donations come in, volunteers will be on hand to sort items and assemble Christmas care packages.
“On Monday we will bring people into the Laburnum Rec Center. We give out the toys and we usually have a big dinner for them. Due to COVID-19, we are now just doing the toys and PPE for the parents and children,” Hazelwood explained.
If you can help, please drop off donations:
- Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Sunday Noon - 6 p.m.
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