DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 36, No. 19 | Richmond Suburban News | September 30, 2020
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Gill: new year gets off to a successful start
Lives changed forever with a simple shoebox By Peggy Cross Special to The Local
A
s a young girl, I was always fascinated with the stories about foreign missionaries that were told me in church, and I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up. As a participant in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, everyone can be a missionary by packing shoeboxes that take the message of hope, love, and salvation to children in need around the world.
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Photo submitted by Peggy Cross
The American Heritage Girls and Trail Life Boys at Fairmount Christian Church packed 400 boxes last year for Operation Christmas Child. Church members and friends packed another 800 and took a trip to the Baltimore Processing Center in December to assist with the shipping and processing of the shoeboxes.
For many of the children, this shoebox filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and toys is the first gift
they have every received. Since 1993, more than 178 million children in over 160 countries have received
a shoebox. We call these shoeboxes “GO” boxes, for “Gospel Opportunity.” see SHOEBOX, pg. 4
Rockville resident seeks information on stolen flags By Melody Kinser Managing Editor ROCKVILLE – About two years ago, veteran Scott Coffield wanted to share his love for his country and the colleges he, his wife and their children attended by
erecting flags near the driveway of their Pouncey Tract Road home in Rockville. To his dismay, he has had three American flags stolen from the roadside location. Also taken by the unknown culprits were the flags of the University of Washington, Colorado State University,
the University of Virginia and James Madison University. Scott also had a Notre Dame flag because he was born in the Notre Dame (South Bend), Indiana, area, and his parents were involved with the university. see FLAGS, pg. 3
ASHLAND — Hanover County Public Schools superintendent Michael Gill told supervisors that the 2020-2021 opening was a unique experience for teachers and students but described the first days of school as a successful return to learn for more than 1,680 county students. “To say that this has been a unique opening of schools would probably be the understatement of the century,” Gill said as he presented his annual back to school report to Hanover supervisors. “Nevertheless, it has been a successful one.” More than 10,000 of those students returned to campuses for face-to-face instruction, while about 6,500 opted for
online instruction in a return to learn plan that offered options for students and parents. Gill noted several factors that made opening day a success, including a decision to delay the opening by one day for most students. Transitional students were welcomed on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the traditional first day of school in Hanover County. Students in kindergarten, first, sixth and ninth grades had the opportunity to explore new campuses without the congestion of a full student body. Gill said the transitional period relieved stress for these students. “That model was actually so successful that parents, students and our teachers and administrators have asked that see GILL, pg. 13
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