About Us
The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program is a nonprofit, charitable organization that was established in 1972 by Miss Lucy Corr, then superintendent of the Chesterfield County Welfare Department. The program has expanded over the years to include Chesterfield and Colonial Heights and is currently managed by a committee of volunteers. The program’s purpose is to help families, elders, and foster children not be forgotten during the holiday season.

Our Mission

The mission of the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program is to provide assistance in the form of new toys, books, clothing and food gift cards to qualifying children, families and seniors as we celebrate the holidays in our community.

Watch the time-lapse video below to see the Christmas Mother team in action!

What We Do

Work directly with the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services, schools and churches to identify individuals and families in need.

Encourage participation from local schools to provide gifts, donations and volunteers.

Arrange sponsors who provide toys, clothing, books and food to families or elders.

Shop year-round for clothing, toys, and gifts at reasonable prices and also purchase gift cards for food.

Accept gifts and donations of money, clothing, toys, books and food gift cards from those in the community who wish to share with others.

Operate the Christmas Center, distributing gifts to our neighbors in need of assistance..

2023 Year in Review

Cheri Searles

Christmas Mother 2024 

The Christmas Mother

A Christmas Mother has been chosen each year since 1979 to represent the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Committee. She is the public spokesperson for the program.

Would you like the Christmas Mother to appear at your event?

Contact Us
2024 Executive Committee

Chairperson   Lesley Dobson
Vice-Chairperson   Jeanne Hensel
Immediate Past Chairperson   Susan Hastings
Treasurer   Donna Goad, Asst. Julie Ferry
Recorder   Carol Ricker
Christmas Mother   Cheri Searles

Board of Directors
  • Diane Stark, Chairperson
  • Martha Miles, Vice-chairperson
  • Dona S. Link, Secretary
  • Bonnie Inge Bell
  • Bonnie Cauthorn
  • Jim Holland
  • Sarah Tatum
  • Donna Goad (Treasurer), Ex-Officio
  • Susan Hastings (Past Chair), Ex-Officio
  • Trustee Emeritus: Lucy Corr, Shirley Hudson, Karolyn Soyars, Sandy Noel
Full Committee List

The Fall 2022 Committee.  A few members were not available for the photo, but still a vital part of our team.

Christmas Mothers over the Years

2024 Cheri Searles+
2023 Kathy Fox+
2022 Bonnie Cauthorn+
2021 Phyllis Poats+
2020 Phyllis Poats+
2019 Lorraine Buck+
2018 Bonnie Inge Bell+
2017 Jeanne Hensel+
2016 Debbie Koller
2015 Sarah Tatum+
2014 Diane Stark+
2013 Ann Muttart*
2012 Kathryn Lunsford+
2011 Linda King+
2010 Johanna Beers
2009 Gail Feind
2008 Carolyn Thompson
2007 Barbara Chapman*
2006 Sharon Robertson+
2005 Pat Merson+
2004 Dona Link+
2003 Mary Blackwood+
2002 Margaret Turner (Deale)*
2001 Mary Giebel+
2000 Nan Hailey
1999 Barbara McHale+
1998 Patricia Revere¬*
1997 Martha Miles+
1996 Sandy Noell+
1995 Sandra Sizemore
1994 Jo-Ann Clark*
1993 Linda Armstrong¬¬*
1992 Shirley Hudson
1991 Beverly Dowdey
1990 Jerri Harding
1989 Maryanne Claus*
1988 Hilda Taylor
1987 Yvette Ridley
1986 Rachel Holmes
1985 Carrie Rogers *
1984 Dorothy Armstrong *
1983 Dona Link+
1982 Rose Scudder¬*
1981 Elsie Elmore *
1980 Lucy Corr *
1979 Lucy Corr *

* deceased
+ Still on Committee