🌱 Patch AM: How one Portsmouth boy’s legacy is brightening CHKD hospital rooms

Hello Portsmouth! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How one Portsmouth boy’s legacy is brightening CHKD hospital rooms
• How a Portsmouth toy drive is lifting kids with incarcerated parents

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 57 and low of 28 degrees.
• Monday: Sunny and cooler, temps: high: 43, low: 30.
• Tuesday: A bit of rain in the morning, with a high of 57 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Joshua Chamberlain Project's 3rd holiday drive collects donations for CHKD (wavy.com) — A Portsmouth family is turning grief into generosity with the Joshua Chamberlain Project’s third holiday drive, collecting toys, blankets, and decorations for children and families at CHKD. Started in memory of 10-year-old Joshua Peck, the nonprofit has grown donations from 21 to 25 large boxes this year, extending comfort and smiles well beyond the holidays.
   

• Toy drive brings Christmas joy to 20 families affected by incarceration in Portsmouth (13newsnow.com) — Families in Portsmouth with an incarcerated parent received gifts and care packages this weekend through Building Resilience in Communities’ 11th annual “It Takes a Village” toy drive, held with The Mount Portsmouth. Organizers say the effort is about more than presents, aiming to ease emotional and financial strain and spark conversation on how the community can better support these children year-round.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 23

• The EveryWoman Book Club - Churchland Conference Room
  Churchland Branch , 4934 High Street West , Portsmouth
  10:30 am
• Color & Calm
  Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
  11:00 am
• Clean Community Committee
  Portsmouth, VA Calendar Portsmouth, VA 23704
  5:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Library Programs - Meeting Room Main Library
  Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
  10:00 am

Sunday December 28

• THE SCRIBES: A CLUB FOR 18-25 YEAR OLD WRITERS
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Write Now! at Slover Library
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• A Page in the Life Memoir Group
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• Tunin' Back In Poetry Club
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• Scary Stories: Writing Club
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• A Night of Remembrance: National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street , Norfolk
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Winter Wonderland is Open Through December 28th
  The Coleman Nursery Collection at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center (400 High Street) offers a nostalgic, holiday-themed visual treat for young… (Nextdoor )
• Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia December 2025 Mobile Pantry Schedule
  Upcoming Mobile Pantries in Portsmouth: December 22nd - Third Baptist - 1313 London Boulevard - 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Help us ensure a safe and… (Nextdoor )

• US Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Assistant (Fitness Support) in Portsmouth. Apply here.
• Verano posted a job opening for Cultivation Specialist in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

🗞 Nearby News

Norfolk

• Sons of Confederate Veterans praises Norfolk's handling of monument relocation (wavy.com)
• Norfolk International Airport reports decrease in passengers in November (wavy.com)
• Elijah Jamison scores 30 to spark Norfolk State at Chris Paul HBCU Classic (pilotonline.com)

Chesapeake

• ‘Double duty': Chesapeake diaper distribution supports dads during the holidays (wavy.com)

Ok Portsmouth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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