Holiday
Three days before Christmas, the Richmond Police Activities League held its fourth “Shop with a Cop” event, which gave children in Richmond an opportunity to shop for themselves or loved ones, while being escorted by police officer.
On Thursday, students are Peres Elementary School performed during their annual winter music concert. Music is alive at Peres and three other Richmond Schools in part because of a program called Education Through Music East Bay.
It was a good day to be giving away coats. The air was biting cold and rain dribbled intermittently. On the last day of school before winter break, students at Verde Elementary School would be leaving with a new coat and a present. The school was running its annual toy and coat drive, an event that’s put together by individuals at churches, public offices, and others in Richmond. Members of the Davis Chapel left toys and coats at their church….
With the flick of a switch Wednesday night, Macdonald Avenue transformed into a downtown vision that many in the city have long wanted to see. “I always dreamed of having lights on Macdonald,” Finance Director James Goins said, standing at the corner of Macdonald and 11th. The East Bay Performing Arts Center and Richmond Main Street Initiative collaborated this year to host the annual Downtown Holiday Festival. This was the first time the newly renovated arts center held the event,…
It was a vision that would change the way they celebrated Christmas forever. Burgundie Spears was a sophomore in college when she decided to give up her own Christmas to begin collecting clothing, toys, and food for “Christmas in Richmond,” an annual event—which became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in December—that helps those in need. “The organization was literally birthed out of my spirit,” Spears, now 27, said of the faith-based organization. “It didn’t make sense to start something while we…
On Saturday more than 300 people lined the long hallway at Barrett Avenue Christian Church to celebrate gift giving. At one end of the spectrum was a room full of children getting their faces painted, while at the other end parents sat and listened to the musical group Rondalla del Sagrado Corazon. It seemed like there was something for everyone down the block-long hallway—from free flu shots sponsored by Walgreens, to the sale of organic health and beauty products. And…
Two years ago we began sharing the secret ingredients to the dishes that have made our lives yummy. This year we bring you our best. From drinks to dessert, we present a modest menu that will compliment any table. Happy Holidays, Richmond!
Every day nearly two hundred of Richmond’s hungry are served free meals by the Greater Richmond Interfaith Project volunteers. This Thanksgiving, GRIP seeks to feed hundreds more. “We just want to help somebody,” volunteer Barbara Scott said. “We have all been blessed and this is our way to give back.” Scott is one of 8-10 volunteers from St. John Missionary Baptist Church, some of whom have been serving for more than 20 years. Volunteers like Scott make up the strong…
The House of Prayer Ministries, located near Nevin and 2nd Street in the Iron Triangle, only has about 20 church members. It’s a small parish, but lead Pastor Kenneth E. Wilkerson says it’s a strong one with deep love for people in the area. “We have a heart for this community, for Richmond,” said Wilkerson, while sitting in the church’s small back room and watching his “worker bees” buzz around clearing plates from people who stopped in for a hot…