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Prince Edward County now has its Christmas Mother for the 2024 season. The group announced on Thursday, Aug. 1 that Torrie Patterson will take on the role this year. 

“We chose Torrie as this year’s Christmas Mother because we were searching for someone who loves this community and the children here,” said Christmas Mother President Kerry Mossler. “She has been a great model for many of our youth.” 

Patterson, a Prince Edward County native, is a graduate of Prince Edward County Schools and Longwood University. In 2013, she founded We Understand Youth Outreach, an organization that educates young people on their self-worth, and helps them to become better citizens. She lives locally with her husband and two children. She is also a gospel singer.

“What a fantastic opportunity for members of the community to support youth and their families! This wonderful deed ought to spread like wildfire,” Patterson said. “I express my gratitude to the Prince Edward Christmas Mother Organization for their efforts in promoting kindness, love, and light during the holiday season!”

What is Christmas Mother?

Now if you’re new to the area, it might help to know what we’re talking about. Prince Edward County’s Christmas Mother is a nonprofit organization that provides families in need with toys, books and other gift items during the holiday season. Throughout the year, the organization holds fundraisers and toy drives so that on donation day, parents and kids can come pick out what they want. It started in 2016 with a small group of women who wanted to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Now it serves hundreds of local families each year

We already know when Distribution Day will take place, as well as when the annual “Stuff the Truck” event will be held. This year’s “Stuff the Truck” will be on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Farmville Walmart. Haley Automall of Farmville will provide the trucks; the community is asked to load them up with toys for the Christmas Mother distribution. Haley’s has been a partner in the PECM fundraising for many years. 

As for when the toys will be given out? Distribution will be held Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Firemen’s Sports Arena. That’s located at 1328 Zion Hill Road in Farmville. 

“Your generosity to the Prince Edward Christmas Mother effort will ensure that our local families can enjoy the holidays,” Patterson said. 

For anyone who needs help getting presents for their children this Christmas season, follow Prince Edward Christmas Mother on Facebook. That’s where you’ll find announcements about application days. Application forms will be available online at their website pechristmasmother.com, at the schools, at the library and at the Department of Social Services. Application sign-up days will be held in early November.

How are applicants decided?

The organization works directly with Prince Edward County Social Services, the public schools, local churches and other nonprofit organizations to identify those in need to ensure they have access to the program that the organization provides. In 2023, Christmas Mother provided toys and other items for more than 400 children in Prince Edward County.

Now if you want to help, that’s possible in a number of ways. First, you can donate financially to the operation by visiting pechristmasmother.com/donate. Donations can also be made via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/prince-edward-christmas-mother.

A $100 donation sponsors one child, but organizers say donations of any amount are appreciated. Second, you can just drop off donations of new toys, books, hats and gloves at one of their events this year. Or, if you want to be a volunteer, you can do that by emailing the organization at pechristmasmother@gmail.com, or contact Kerry Mossler at kerry.mossler@centrahealth.com.