The Christmas spirit goes into high gear on Saturday, Dec. 7, as Rockbridge Christmas Baskets (RCB) conducts Packing Day 2024 at the Virginia Horse Center’s Anderson Coliseum. This festive, perennial food and toy packing event runs from 8 a.m. to noon.
The work is completed when sealed food boxes and toy bags are delivered later that same day by dedicated teams to area residents in need.
RCB is an independent and fully volunteer organization that helps families struggling to put food on the table or provide a new toy for a child to enjoy at the holidays.
This year marks this group’s 77th year of service to the communities of Rockbridge County, and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista. In December of 1948, the Lexington Woman’s and Junior Woman’s Clubs created the Santa Claus Truck as a way to deliver food to local households in need. Their efforts quickly evolved into what has long been known as Rockbridge Christmas Baskets.
“Rockbridge County, this is a Packing Day call to action. We hope you will take time out of your busy holiday schedules to join us for this important and heartwarming holiday event,” Paige Williams, RCB board president, said. “We serve thousands in our community every year, and we mean it when we say that it would not be possible without your help. We have more than 40 tons of food to pack in 1,900 boxes – and that doesn’t even take the toys into account!”
“If you’ve never been to Packing Day, you’ll want to make it a tradition — so many local families do. With live music, Christmas crafts, free snacks and hot chocolate, it’s a wonderful morning of hands-on helping,” added Williams. “And in this season of giving, we are deeply grateful for generous financial support from our community. Make a gift online – it takes just a moment to fill a box or a toy bag. Every gift makes a big difference for families facing food insecurity this time of year.”
To make a donation, secure online giving can be made at rockbridgechristmasbaskets.org or send checks to RCB, P.O. Box 1030, Lexington, VA 24450.
