Nominations open for holiday assistance program for Virginia fathers

Nominations are open for FATHER Christmas, a Virginia program that provides holiday assistance to fathers experiencing financial, physical or mental hardship.

The Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia plans to select 75 fathers this year: 25 in Greater Richmond, 25 in Hampton Roads and 25 in the Blue Ridge region. Henrico County fathers are eligible through the Greater Richmond group.

Each selected father will receive $500 and gifts for his children, according to the organization. Volunteers and sponsors review the nominations, and nominators work with organizers to obtain the children's Christmas lists without alerting the selected fathers in advance.

The program is open to Virginia fathers age 18 or older. Nominators are asked to explain the financial, physical or mental hardship affecting the father and his family.

The nomination deadline is Nov. 13. Details and the nomination form are available on the FATHER Christmas program page.