Hundreds of children across a threecounty area – Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath – had a brighter Christmas this year, thanks to an initiative undertaken by Unity4Kids, a local nonprofit organization that seeks to spread cheer year-round.
“Through our Miracles of Christmas 2025 initiative, we were honored to serve 620 children across three counties, made possible by the unwavering support of our volunteers, donors and community partners,” said Tammy Reid, director of Unity4Kids. “We assisted children and families referred by local schools, Social Services’ foster care program, churches and community members, truly experiencing the spirit of giving this season.
“This year, the impact of our work felt especially profound. I reviewed our lists of children daily and I felt personally connected to every one of them. I refer to those we serve as ‘my families’ because of the lasting relationships we have built over time. On Christmas Day, I received an overwhelming number of messages from families sharing photos of their children with their gifts. Being included in those moments was an incredible gift and a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
“We also saw a significant increase in need compared to last year,” Reid continued. “Many families faced extraordinary hardships – single parents working multiple jobs, grandparents raising grandchildren and parents battling illness while caring for their children. We supported families navigating domestic violence, cancer, foster care transitions and other unimaginable challenges. Each gift delivered represented hope, love and reassurance that they were not alone. If we can make a difference in the life of even one child, every effort is worth it.
“The government shutdown further intensified food insecurity within our community. In response, we organized multiple food drives and prepared warm meals that were delivered to local families. We also partnered with Maury River Middle School to provide Christmas meals to five of their families.
“Some of the situations we encountered were heartbreaking,” Reid said. “While attempting to purchase a comforter for a young girl, we learned she did not have a bed and was sleeping on the floor. We assisted a mother who had fled domestic violence, lost her belongings due to a fire and was still sleeping on a smoke-damaged mattress. We even delivered to local children who are living in hotels. These experiences underscored the depth of need in our community.
“Unity4Kids strives to meet families where they are and respond to their most pressing needs. Many children’s Christmas lists included essentials such as socks, underwear, coats, clothing and shoes – clear indicators of the challenges they face daily.
“Because of the collective generosity and compassion of our community, we truly witnessed the Miracles of Christmas this year and the true meaning – God’s love! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this outreach possible.”
