A Child’s Christmas Program Expects to Assist 800 Children This Year!

Over the past 29 years, Lake Christian Ministries’ A Child’s Christmas program has been a holiday tradition in the lake community. Each year, LCM collaborates with the over 45 community partners to bring joy to local children through this special holiday effort. This program helps ease the financial strain that many low-income families face when they cannot afford holiday gifts for their children. Last year, this program brought holiday joy to 778 local children, up 12% from 2024.

“We are expecting to assist 800 children in need this year,” predicts A Child’s Christmas program coordinator Dianna Weiner. “Rising costs for food, rent and utilities affect us all, but families at the bottom of the economic ladder are hit the hardest. A growing number of low-income families will have to choose between paying bills and buying Christmas gifts for their children. Most are unable to afford both.”

“We have seen a 74% increase in the number of young families with children receiving assistance over the past three years, explains Jane Winters, LCM’s executive director. “Providing holiday gifts for 800 children would not be possible without the generosity of our wonderful SML community. Lake-area businesses provide collection bins for new toys. Churches, businesses, civic organizations, and individuals purchase personalized gifts for children with direction from Angel Cards or provide cash donations. Libraries collect new books for children. Volunteers organize the children’s sign-up, assign Angel Cards to those who want to purchase gifts, and organize the distribution to families on December 13. The continued success of this program is possible because of generous support from our SML community.”

Parents and guardians register children ages 16 years and younger for Christmas gifts at Lake Christian Ministries on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon through November 26. Program Director Dianna Weiner added, “Many dedicated volunteers help each year to shop, sort, and distribute gifts to ensure that every child experiences the joy of Christmas. We welcome new volunteers who want to experience the spirit of Christmas at work in our community.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP MAKE CHRISTMAS MERRY FOR CHIDLREN IN NEED? Purchase a new toy and drop it off at one of the collection locations. Stop by one of Angel Card partners and purchase and donate gifts indicated on the personalized Angel Card for each child. Provided below is a list of toy and book collection sites, and Angel Card Partners. To learn more about how you can help, contact program coordinator Dianna Weiner at diannaelaine57@yahoo.com. Monetary donations to support A Child’s Christmas can be sent to Lake Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 695, Moneta, VA, 24121 with a memo designating “Children’s Programs.”

The deadline for books, toys, and Angel Card gifts is December 5. We are grateful for the participation of the Christmas elves in our SML community!

Book Collection Sites
Moneta Library
Westlake Library

Toy Collection Sites
Antique Mall & Mayberry Furniture
Body Shoppe Fitness
Capps Home Building Center
Crosswhite Fitness Center
Dollar General Stores - Westlake, Bluewater Drive, Glenwood, Union Hall, and Moneta in partnership
with Sea Tow SML (see the Sea Tow Facebook page for collection dates at each store location)
Glenwood Hardware & Supply
Hot Shots Family Fun Center
Mama Ann’s Gifts & Goodies
Rehab Associates
SML Coffeehouse
Simmons Insurance
Wake Cafe
Westlake Automotive

Angel Card Partners
Antique Mall & Mayberry Furniture
Bedford Masonic Lodge
Bethlehem United Methodist Church
Cilantros
Crosswhite Fitness Center
Epworth United Methodist Church
Hot Shots Family Fun Center
Mariners Landing
Napoli Cowboy
Napoli by the Lake
Patmos United Methodist Church
Resurrection Catholic Church
Salvation Army - Franklin County
Trinity Ecumenical Parish
Westlake Library

Children’s Coats
Christ Community Church
Fraternal Order of Eagles #4344

2025 SML Walk to End Poverty
Makes A Huge Difference for Local Families in Need!

Thank you to our generous SML community! The 2025 Walk to End Poverty, held at SML State Park on September 20, was a huge success - generating a historic $197,648 for Lake Christian Ministries’ vital services for local families in need. This amount represents the most funds ever generated from this event!

These funds are needed now more than ever before. Over the past three years, we have seen a 58% increase in the number of families who have received food, crisis financial aid, and New Tomorrows Program services from Lake Christian Ministries. We are extremely grateful for the unbelievable community support - 305 donors provided donations through the 2025 event. Funds generated from the Walk will go to work immediately to assist the growing number of families who have been severely impacted by prolonged high costs for rent, utilities, and food.

The event engaged teams and individuals from schools, civic groups, neighborhoods, businesses, and churches who answered a sponsor challenge match to make a difference for local families struggling with financial crisis. Team honors went to the SML Fraternal Order of Eagles #4344 for the largest team contribution of $52,245 and to Trinity Ecumenical Parish for generating the most participants – a total of 46.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the 2025 SML Walk to End Poverty a record success. Event sponsors, Capps Home Building Center and an anonymous supporter; as well as supporting sponsors: Jo & Co; Jewelers; Body Shoppe Fitness; Centra; Gilbert Law; Ringmaster Services; Eastman Construction; Southside Electric Cooperative; Anthem Healthkeeers Plus; SML Fraternal Order of Eagles #4344; Mary Lou McDonald- ML Realty; and SML Insiders provided dollar-for-dollar matching funds for the first $50,000 donated.

This warm and wonderful event is a great example of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”! We look forward to the 2026 Walk to End Poverty and hope all our sponsors, team leaders, walkers, and supporters will be back to impact poverty in the SML community.