Harvest Youth Board grants $5K to Charity League’s Brighter Christmas program

Charity League’s Brighter Christmas program receives lists from the Salvation Army and Christmas Cheer of pre-teens and teenagers who have aged out of those programs, but have younger siblings who are eligible to receive gifts. Brighter Christmas provides gifts to the older siblings so the entire family can enjoy Christmas.

“I think it is an amazing way to help our community because most Christmas gift programs have an age limit, and older siblings in a family don’t get presents,” said Karli Foster, chairperson of the Harvest Youth Board. “This program allows older kids to be included.”

Charity League has steadily increased the Brighter Christmas program to serve more pre-teens and teenagers in Martinsville-Henry County. The program started in 2013 after members learned that children ages 11 to 17 were not eligible to receive Christmas gifts through certain local programs.

"Brighter Christmas is another way for the Ladies of Charity League to give to the children of MHC,” said Cindy Cox, chair of the Brighter Christmas program.  “The children that benefit from the program don't ask for Xbox's, iPhones, or the latest gadgets, instead they ask for shoes, clothes, coat, hygiene items, bedding, a bed, or basic necessities.  Around this time of the year, we want to spread love and joy!"

Goals for this year’s program are to serve more than 350 pre-teens and teenagers in Martinsville and Henry County with basic needs and gifts during the holiday season.