Hanover Fire-EMS Santa runs continue HANOVER – Hanover FireEMS companies are once again planning to visit the communities they serve by bringing Santa Claus to visit during the much anticipated Santa Runs. The schedules are as follows:
ASHLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Wednesday, Dec. 8 – Jamestown Road, Woodside Lane, Providence Subdivision, Woodside Estates Subdivision, Wintercrest Subdivision, Omni Park Place, Omni Apartments, Slash Cottage
CHRISTMAS Continued from pg. 1
“My husband, Tom, has been especially supportive, attending programs with me and helping with ideas, such as the ‘Spirit Events’ we have set up with the Sports Page Restaurants in Mechanicsville and Ashland and the Riverbound Café in Mechanicsville,” she said. Tom has been an integral part of this year’s efforts and accompanies his wife to most scheduled events, but offers moral support and lends a helping hand when needed. It’s a group effort for a good cause. “I laugh and tell people my role is ‘driving Ms. Jeannie.’ I have been her ‘chauffeur’ to be sure she finds and arrives to meeting places in a timely manner – she is obsessed with being on time,” Tom said. “I have also offered her much support with various logistics, the mailings the Doswell Ruritan Club has accomplished, editing her correspondence as needed, and providing input and assurance with what she plans to say to the various groups.” Rummel said families selected for this year’s program have been identified and received letters notifying them that distribution of this year’s gifts will take place Dec. 11. “The letters include the timeframe and the assigned location where they need to report – there are three locations. They need to bring their letter
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Subdivision and Lance and Bridle Subdivision. Thursday, Dec. 9 – South Center Street southeast side, Virginia Street, East Francis Street, 1000 block of Maple Street, Kilby Station Road, 100 and 200 block of New Street, MacMurdo Street, Arlington Street and Mist Pines Apartments, Maiden Lane, Lee Street, 100 and 200 block of Robinson Street, Sedgefield Subdivision, Palm Leaf Subdivision, 500 block of Pleasant Street, Myrtle Street, Short Street, Randolph Street, Henry Clay Apartments, 300 block of Robinson Street, South Taylor Street, 300 block of New Street and
Arlington Square Apartments. Sunday, Dec. 12 – College
that has their case number – this confirmed that the correct recipient receives the correct envelope,” Jeannie said. “The envelope will contain a department store gift card for each child in the family, as well as a grocery store gift card to help with the family’s needs. Senior citizens will receive a grocery store gift card.” Jeannie said the success of Hanover’s Christmas Mother is a reflection of a community that cares about the less fortunate. “The community spirit of Hanover County is so very strong for this program. The Christmas Mother Board is dedicated to making sure every family they learn needs some help, receives something. Many organizations invite the Hanover Christmas Mother to speak at their November or December meeting every year. I have seen and felt their love for helping the less fortunate in the county,” she said. The experience of meeting various groups and sharing the story of Hanover’s Chiristmas Mother has also left a lasting impression. “I have also met with groups in retirement communities, youth groups and other organizations that may or may not be in a position to actually donate but are anxious to know what the Hanover Christmas Mother program is doing this year,” Hummel said. “One group that really touched me was the Aktion Club, a service club for adults with disabilities, sponsored by the County’s Parks
and Recreation Department. The attending members were so excited to meet me, and they were working on a craft related to Veteran’s Day, which was later in that week.” Hummel said this year’s campaign was affected by the pandemic and the canned food and toys usually collected are replaced with gift cards, but the spirit of the campaign remains the same. “Due to the pandemic and not being able to collect food and toys, my public relations role as the Hanover Christmas Mother has been particularly important. I have been delighted at how well the program has been received. The community spirit and generosity of our county’s citizens is very strong and very much appreciated,” Jeannie said. Tom said there’s another benefit to the long hours and busy schedule assisting his wife with the program. “I feel Jeannie and I have been able to spend a great deal of time together as we attend meetings and group events, probably more than we might have otherwise,” he said. When the campaign ends, Jeannie and Tom plan to return to a life that focuses on family, faith and community. The couple is involved in a number of charitable efforts that take place in Hanover. “We are very active with several groups at our church, which is very mission and community service oriented,” Jeannie said. “We are also
Ashland-Hanover Local December 8, 2021
Metro Creative Services
Avenue, Caroline Street, North Taylor Street, Calhoun Street, Louisiana Street, Macon Circle, Henry Place, North Cottage Green Drive, Trotter Mill Close Apartments, Hanover Apartments, Laurel Woods Apartments, Vaughan Road, Ashland Towne Square and Smithtown Road. Monday, Dec. 13 – Dale Avenue, South James Street, Duncan Street, Early Street, South Center Street southwest side, Oaks Apartments, Ashland Manor Apartments, Cox Lane, Stebbins Street, Race Course Street, West see SANTA, pg. 13
very active with the American Legion and Auxiliary in Mechanicsville (Post 175) and are volunteers with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. We enjoy these projects very much.” They are also anxious to return to another important element in their lives — family. “We are a blended family, with 10 grandchildren (ages 2 months to 20 years) and very much enjoy family gatherings – large and small. We also enjoy traveling and frequently visit the Yellowstone National Park area (any season) as well as exploring new places,” Jeannie said. As the couple prepared for two parades this weekend, the Richmond and Mechanicsville editions, and a tree lighting in Doswell, Jeannie said the whole experience has been rewarding and affirmed many things she already knew about the Hanover community. “The pandemic has affected all of us in some way – some of us with great hardships. It appears life as we once knew it has experienced some changes. I am so grateful for being a Hanover County citizen, where community spirit is very strongly supportive of their less fortunate neighbors. And a huge thank you to the Mechanicsville Ruritan Club for inviting me to have this opportunity, and to the hardworking Doswell Ruritan Club, with members I have been proud to grow to know.”
Pets of the Week Photos submitted by Andrew Hodnett
The Hanover County Pound, located at 12471 Taylor Complex Lane in Ashland, has wonderful pets available to a good home. Charlie, ID# 580481, is a 4-year-old male domestic short-haired feline. He has had her first set of vaccines and is FELV/FIV test negative. Charlie is a sweet guy who came to the shelter as a stray. He is very friendly. Charlie loves to be around people. He is a social butterfly as they say. Charlie also is well litter trained. He should be fine with being an indoor/ outdoor cat. Charlie will make a great addition for anyone. Dasher, # 580844, is an 6-monthold neutered male DASHER canine/ Labrador Retriever mix. He has had his first set of vaccines and is Heartworm test negative. Dasher is a cute, young pup who is very friendly. He was surrendered to the shelter a few weeks CHARLIE ago. Dasher is great with people and other dogs. He has a lot of playful energy. Dasher is working on his house training and commands. He will be a great companion for someone who loves to stay active. For more information on these great pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Hanover County Pound Facility, call 804-365-6485 during the day. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed on Sunday and county holidays. You also can visit the website to see other animals available for adoption at http://hanovercounty. gov/Animals/Adopt-a-Pet/.
