Good Neighbor Day, set for Wednesday in Farmville, has a special good neighbor this year. Thanks to the Farmville Junior Woman’s Club (FJWC), Santa will have gifts for needy children in the area again this Christmas.

Good Neighbor Day, observed locally at Carter’s Flower Shop and Rochette’s Florist, will offer dozens of free roses next Wednesday to area residents. The Good Neighbor rule is simple: keep one rose for yourself and give 11 to “good neighbors.” Each year a local organization or charity is selected to receive donations that are placed in collection jars.

In 2014, Santa officially became Farmville’s Good Neighbor when the Junior Woman’s Club was selected to receive the 2014 donations. Club

members decided to use those donations to purchase and deliver gifts on Santa’s behalf.

“Club members knew of some local families that were facing hard economic times,” FJWC President Georgia Holman said. “The Junior Woman’s Club made it their mission last year to reach out to those families with gifts and other necessities.”

The Junior Woman’s Club turned to the Department of Social Services, Head Start and United Methodist Family Services to provide names and wish lists for Santa. Last year when Good Neighbor Day donations reached $5,000, the Junior Woman’s Club decided to get out the sleigh.

An all-day shopping event provided gifts from wish lists as well as necessities such as winter jackets and toiletries. A $25 Food Lion gift card for each family was also included.

“We were able to provide for 34 families last year,” Holman said.

“I spent 16 hours wrapping gifts,” FJWC Second Vice President Evelyn Francis added.

The Junior Woman’s Club hopes that the 2015 Good Neighbor Day will provide even more gifts for Santa to add to his sleigh. To date, 80 businesses, organizations and individuals have signed up to sponsor next Wednesday’s event.

“We want to thank all the sponsors involved,” Carolyn Jones, of Carter’s Flower Shop, said. “It’s great to see the community do something like this for the children.”

“It’s a lot of work for the Farmville Junior Woman’s Club,” Sid Allen, of Rochette’s Florist said. “Hats off to them for spearheading this project.”

The community is encouraged to visit local florists on Good Neighbor Day.
“We know the community will rise to the challenge again and help us make sure all children have a special and memorable Christmas,” Holman said.
Santa, at work at the North Pole, could not be reached for comment but is reported to be smiling. With Good Neighbor Day in Farmville, he knows everything’s coming up roses.