PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — It’s a Christmas Day lunch and gift give-away for folks in Petersburg that one woman has organized for years.That woman is Kim Winston of Petersburg. In 2010, she started the tradition of collecting clothes, shoes and toys, then giving the items away. She’s served hundreds of people since then.
“Makes me feel good to be able to help others and see them smile and be happy, that makes we feel good,” says Winston.
Winston started this tradition at one of the worst points in her life. She’d just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It is amazing what she is doing because she is going through so much. It is amazing what she is doing for other people, she is making other kids happy, I mean people have Christmas, but then you have some people out here that don’t really have Christmas,” says Karen Johnson, who went to the event with her grand-daughter and husband. “It helps a lot because I am raising my grand daughter, so it helps a lot.”
Throughout the year, Winston collects donations from individuals and businesses. Some of the donations include food. This year, hundreds of people ate a Christmas day lunch at the event.
“I appreciate it a whole lot, because it’s a blessing, people doing something for the community,” says Donzell Jackson.
As family after family left with a gifts, Winston is grateful despite her own medical problems.
“Lord still make me wake up everyday, so I am glad for that. As long as I wake up aching, I know I am still in the land of the living,” says Winston.
Last year, Winston served 350 people. This year, her goal was to serve 400 people, at the end of the day, at least 415 people came through the doors.
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