Christmas Mother Day at the Salvation Army Christmas Center was anything but prepackaged.
Coats, bicycles, trucks, dolls, stuffed animals, games, socks and toys of all descriptions were spread out Tuesday in a former Dillard's store at Virginia Center Commons so that 1,100 children could have something picked out especially for them for Christmas.
"You can feel the love," said Jayne Ukrop, the 2011 Christmas Mother. "Being able to feel the spirit — gosh, this is Christmas."
The 820 shoppers at the center were helped by about 400 volunteers — 200 of them reporting for the morning shift when the center opened with music by Grayland Baptist Church and friends.
Ukrop, whose broken foot was protected by a black boot instead of the candy-striped cast she has been wearing for weeks, quickly joined a spirited rendition of "Joy to the World." She jingled the bells she wore on her wrist, rolled her wheelchair to the end of the chorus line and then used her crutches to hop into place.
"This project that I have been rolling through, hopping through and singing through has been incredible," she said as she helped open the last day of gift distribution. "This experience will live in my heart forever and ever. . . . I pray God will strengthen you and find ways for you to give to your children in all the ways that are important."
Earlier days at the center were primarily for the pickup of Angel Tree gifts bought to fulfill a gift list from the tree. On Christmas Mother Day, clients selected their own gifts. Each child could receive one large gift and two small gifts, plus three items of clothing and a coat. One of the large gifts could be a bicycle.
New this year, clients could choose to have one gift wrapped, pose for a Santa photo to be uploaded to Facebook and chat with the Christmas Mother over cookies. Not as exciting, probably, is a new requirement that clients take a financial management or English as a Second Language class to be eligible for aid next year.
Juanita Charity of South Richmond was happy about getting red and blue Razor scooters for her boys, ages 7 and 5, and a pink push-bar scooter for her 2-year-old girl.
"I can't wait to see their faces," she said. A Spider-Man pillow, a tiny Dora the Explorer backpack and a microphone were other sure-fire hits. "I'm in love with this myself," she said about the backpack on wheels.
Natalie Wilson from Capital One, a first-time volunteer, was also enthusiastic. "I'm definitely going to do this year after year," Wilson said.
Tameka White of East Richmond expected her 10-year-old son to like an Xbox video game and basketball, but her biggest smile was prompted by a $10 Beyblade top.
"He prayed for that baby," she said. "His favorite toy is a Beyblade."
"I'm excited," White said as she loaded her car.
"And thankful."
Today's total?
?$11,808.00
Previously reported?
?193,780.71
GRAND TOTAL?
?205,588.71
In loving memory of Nana, and in honor of our grandchildren, Ted, Celia, Taylor and Isabel. Susu and Pops?
?50.00
Ron and Gerry?
?100.00
Bonnie Davis?
?250.00
Brin and Al Gribben?
?200.00
To thank and honor U.S. District Court Judges and Court Family. MH?
?200.00
On behalf of Scott, Melissa and Sandy Kelley?
?30.00
In memory of Charles W. Trent 3rd, Margaret S. Trent and Shirley H. Wirt, from Charlie Trent?
?100.00
In honor of Jayne Ukrop and our grandchildren — Mary Spencer, T, Wright, Ruthie, Teddy, Evans and Anne Campbell — Janice & Buddy Gardner?
?100.00
In honor of Jayne Ukrop, from Carpie and Tom Coulbourn?
?100.00
Pooky Dew Merry Christmas. I love you Sis, your Bro…?
?25.00
Martin's Pharmacy Staff at VA Center?
?100.00
George and Emily?
?100.00
In honor of Jayne, Love, Lona & Tim?
?250.00
In memory of my mother, Audrey Frazier Millner, and my stepmother, Lane Gabler Millner?
?50.00
In loving memory of Bobby Wilson and Danny Gaskill, from Robert Wilson Jr. and Leigh Wilson?
?50.00
In loving memory of our parents, from Barbara and Bill Reames?
?50.00
In memory of Thumper and Magic, from Barbara and Bill Reames?
?50.00
To our loyal customers, from CWDKids?
?200.00
In memory of John B. Boatwright III, Araminta Jefferson Rowe Boatwright, Gary Gerloff, Kelly Finch and David Campbell Gayle?
?200.00
In loving memory of my dear wife, Andrea Loth, from her husband. I miss you very much. Love, Rusty?
?100.00
In honor of Jayne Ukrop and all of the Ukrops, and in loving memory of my husband, Sidney Gunst, from Marjorie L. Gunst?
?100.00
Richmond Retired Police Officers Association in honor of its current members and in memory of the deceased members for the children of the City we served.?
?228.00
In memory of Clarence & Marie Niedermayer?
?100.00
In loving memory of Howard, from Lucy?
?300.00
In memory of my parents, Leah S. Sprenkle & Clarence Sprenkle Sr.?
?200.00
Bruce and Annette Olsen?
?100.00
In honor of our customer — Annette Dean, Ltd.?
?300.00
In honor of our cul de sac neighbors — The Blackwoods, Brockmans, Edges, Hoods and Porterfields — from Bill and Mikal?
?75.00
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Beadles?
?150.00
In memory of Douglas W. Davis … Ingrid Davis?
?100.00
In loving memory of my wife, Kit, from Henry?
?100.00
In memory of Big, Pa, Granny and Granddaddy?
?50.00
In memory of Felix Cannady and Nancy Garcci, from Dale and Linda Cannady?
?150.00
In memory of Frances P. Kellam and Iva M. Terrell ?
?25.00
In memory of Gary, Reather, and Ed Rowell, from Wayne Rowell?
?25.00
Evelyn M. Bryson?
?100.00
In memory of David Farley, from Carol D. Farley?
?100.00
In memory of my mother, who would have broken her foot if she were named Christmas Mother, too.?
?100.00
In loving memory of Malinda Stietzel Pettit, from Dawson, Emory, Charlotte & Lucy?
?200.00
Good Luck! Linda & Ken?
?50.00
In memory of David Holton?
?100.00
Mrs. Ruth Palmer Freeman?
?50.00
In memory of our parents, from Bonnie and Jerry?
?50.00
In loving memory of our mother and father, Frances and Henry Kinnier, and our brother Henry Lee Kinnier Jr., from Anne and Elizabeth?
?100.00
In memory of our beloved parents and other family members, from Ingeborg and Jay Brumbaugh?
?50.00
In honor of Taylor, Henley, Jack & Rand?
?100.00
In memory of Clara-Miles?
?100.00
In loving memory of my husband, Dr. Carl D. Lunsford?
?100.00
In loving memory of our parents, Sam and Nancy Gillespie, from Sam, Len, Bill and Nan and their families?
?400.00
In honor of Eliza Harvey, dearest mother and grandmother. Daughter: Maxine Harvey. Grandson: Dwayne Harvey?
?100.00
Bette and Earle Dunford?
?100.00
William and Rebecca Schubmehl?
?100.00
Ginter Park UMC Sunday School?
?25.00
S. Bachrach Company Inc. — Bachrach's?
?1,000.00
In memory of my son Adrian Pellew-Harvey?
?2,000.00
In memory of my loving mother, Ann Copley, from Dot Deaner?
?100.00
Anonymous?
?25.00
In honor of Michael & Amber Packer and Kory, Kelsey, and Keelyn, from Skippy Gronauer?
?100.00
Anonymous?
?50.00
In loving memory of my parents, from Antoinette H. Jamison?
?100.00
In honor of Reed, Griff, Quinn, Madeline, Emma, Charlie, Ryan, Reade, Callie & Beckett!?
?200.00
Bass Crane Service LLC?
?1,000.00
In loving memory of my daughter Karen — Jo Smith?
?50.00
In loving memory of Hugh Evans Opdycke, from Anne and Dad?
?150.00
In loving memory of Susie, from Bobby?
?100.00
In honor of the Christmas Mother, Jayne Ukrop — Love, Nancy and Buddy?
?50.00
In loving memory of my Mother and my Daddy, Loraine McDill Pace and Horace Fred Pace — Love, Nancy Pace Goodykoontz?
?50.00
In loving memory of my father, Bob Goodykoontz — Buddy?
?50.00
In honor of Mary Goodykoontz, celebrating her 101st birthday on 12/27/11 — Love, Nancy and Buddy?
?50.00
Marshall F. Wilkins?
?25.00
In memory of David Holton — given by Susan Stoneman?
?50.00
In honor and highest respect for our teacher, the Rev. Dr. Paul Burkwall, and our musical leader, Anne Bailey, from the Adams and Fellowship Class, First Baptist Church Richmond.?
?100.00
Thomas and Diane Spencer?
?25.00
In memory of our parents and in honor of our grandchildren Harrison, Anne Claiborne, Gigi, Reed and Ted — Panny & Jim Rhodes?
?300.00
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