FATHER
Christmas

What is Father Christmas?

Starting in October, we open up nominations to the public for community members to nominate deserving dads who are facing financial, physical, or mental hardships. Once the nominations are closed, a group of FFVA volunteers and sponsors reads the applications. We choose 25 fathers in Greater Richmond, 25 dads in Hampton Roads, and 10 dads in Southwest VA. Next, we call the nominators and let them know that the dad they nominated was chosen. The nominator then works secretly, since the dads do not know, to get Christmas lists for their children and set up Santa meetings.

We then pair the lists with volunteers who have adopted a family, and they shop, wrap all the presents, and drop them off the night of the event. That evening, the chosen dads think they are just coming to see Santa. As they enter the event, we have cookies, hot cocoa, letters to Santa, and other activities. After the children visit, Santa says some kind words to dad and presents him with $500. After the visit, everyone goes into the next room where they receive their presents, which are then taken out to the car by volunteers, while they grab dinner on the way out. The entire process takes 10 minutes. In that brief time, it changes lives and makes Christmas brighter for deserving dads in our Commonwealth.

Who is Eligible to be Nominated?

This event is open to everyone in Virginia who is at least 18 years old and is a father. We do ask nominators to show that the fathers they are nominating are facing financial, physical, or mental hardship that may prevent them from providing a merry Christmas for their families. The funds we give allow dads to pay rent, buy food, catch up on bills, and handle other urgent needs. As a father working to make ends meet, that extra support allows dads to breathe a little easier around the holidays. All nominations this year must be submitted no later than Sunday, November 16. All nominators will then be called and told whether the dad they nominated was chosen.

FATHER Christmas 2025 Central VA

FFVA was excited to partner with the Richmond Christmas Mother as we honored 25 deserving dads. This was our 11th year in the Central VA region.

FATHER Christmas 2025 Southwest VA

We were excited to honor eight great dads in Southwest VA during our first year in the region in partnership with Jubilee Family Center. It is our goal to honor 25 dads at our next event.

FATHER Christmas 2025 Hampton Roads

In partnership with The Noblemen, we honored 25 dads in our second year in the region. Last year we honored 10 dads, and we can’t wait to recognize even more.