The official announcement of Virginia “Gigi” Foster's selection came last Wednesday during a tea at Pebble Hill, the Doswell home of Franklin Flippo Jr.
Published: November 04, 2009
By Melody Kinser
While Virginia “Gigi” Foster admits she is “thrilled and flattered” to be named the 2009 Christmas Mother, she quickly acknowledges “there’s going to be a so much greater need this year.”
The official announcement of her selection came last Wednesday during a tea at Pebble Hill, the Doswell home of Franklin Flippo Jr.
With the Doswell Ruritan Club at the helm of the Christmas Mother project to help those in need during the holidays, the Atlee Ruritan Club, of which Foster’s husband Tom is a 39-year member, nominated her.
Last Tuesday, Foster talked about the Christmas Mother program and her role with the Atlee Ruritans. “I prepare meals for them, so I think that had something to do with it,” she said with a smile. “You know, the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Through her enthusiasm for the honor to represent Hanover County this holiday season, Foster vows to “do as much for the Christmas Mother program as I possibly can.”
As more families struggle in these tough economic times, Foster said she is hopeful that “we’ll get a greater number of contributions that we’ve ever had.”
“I am just really honored to be selected, and I just look forward to being able to make a difference in the lives of many people here in our community.”
Foster will be the “face” of the Christmas Mother program, attending meetings of civic organizations, visiting schools and churches, and participating in Christmas parades in Mechanicsville and Ashland.
Many of her public appearances will be to solicit and accept donations.
Foster said the involvement of schoolchildren is integral to the success of the program.
They collect canned goods and then help sort out the items at the Doswell Community Center before the Dec. 19 distribution.
Sites are the Mechanicsville Fire Station, Montpelier Ruritan Club and Doswell Community building.
The Doswell Ruritan Club has sponsored the Christmas Mother program for 21 years.
Last year, Foster said about 700 Hanover County families benefited, receiving gift cards, food, clothing and toys.
Now retired, Foster worked as a registered nurse in the Hanover County Health Department and then served as director of nursing at Henrico Eye and Ear Hospital in downtown Richmond.
She also has worked as a staff nurse at Westminster Canterbury.
Retirement hasn’t kept her from Westminster Canterbury though.
She volunteers as a pianist for singalongs at the residential facility.
These days, she’s an official grandmother, best known as “Gigi” to her grandchildren, Adam Bazzrea, who spends his weekdays with her; Daniel Bazzrea, Kendall Dowdy, Carter Dowdy, Ashlee Foster and Tommy Foster.
She and Tom have three children: Rick Foster and his wife Jenny of King William, Elizabeth Dowdy and her husband David of Goochland, and Gwen Bazzrea and husband Kevin of Hanover.
In addition to her volunteer time at Westminster Canterbury, Foster enjoys working in her yard, being with her family, and playing bridge with the Third Monday Night Bridge Club.
She is a member of the Lebanon United Methodist Church and associate member of the Atlee Ruritan Club.
She also is the substitute organist at the Salem Presbyterian Church near her home off Williamsville Road.
Contributions to the Christmas Mother program can be sent to: Hanover Christmas Mother, P.O. Box 39, Doswell VA 23047. They are tax-deductible.
For more information, contact Franklin Jones of the Doswell Ruritan Club at 370-8577.
