Martin's Dumbarton Square store manager Bill Balderson (center) presented a check for $26,215 to a host of Henrico Christmas Mother program volunteers – and Christmas Mothers past – Dec. 22 at the store.

The money was donated in part by shoppers at Martin's Henrico stores through a donation program that ran in stores during the fall months, as well as a contribution from Martin's. Each of the company's stores in Henrico witnessed an increase in the amount donated by shoppers this year, compared to last year; the Dumbarton store showed the
highest percentage increase, according to Martin's spokeswoman Vicki Kiger.

Pictured above, left to right, are Trish Foster, Lane Foster, Dorothy Tatum, Betty Lyon, Fran Garrett, Balderson, Shelly Poole, Ruth Radzisauskas, Robin Smith and Reed Smith.

The Christmas Mother program assisted about 1,950 families (6,000 people) this year, Poole said. Program officials won't have a final tally on the amount of donations made to the program until February, but signs so far indicate that the number may exceed last year's, Poole said.