🌱 Patch AM: How one Richmond couple is sheltering neighbors from winter’s cold

Good morning to you Richmond! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How one Richmond couple is sheltering neighbors from winter’s cold
• Richmond schools community mourns leader Solomon Jefferson’s lasting impact
• How a Richmond forum is rethinking school discipline and teen mental health

Also on today's calendar: Orchard After Dark and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: A little morning snow; colder, with a high of 37 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Partly sunny and cold, temps: high: 35, low: 23.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 43 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Richmond couple seeks donations to help share warmth with those in need this winter (wric.com) — A Richmond couple is turning their home into a lifeline for unhoused neighbors, offering meals, winter survival kits, and limited shelter while city beds remain in short supply. Through their Share the Warmth RVA effort, they’re asking Richmond residents to donate blankets, hats, gloves, socks, tents, and other supplies to help people survive the cold months ahead.
   

2. Community honors beloved Richmond school leader at funeral service (wric.com) — Richmond Public Schools staff, families and community members came together in Richmond to honor Solomon Jefferson, the division’s chief academic officer for secondary education, after his recent death at age 48. Speakers at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church remembered his impact on graduation rates and the lives of local students he championed.
   

3. Safe & Restorative Tour brings awareness to mental health, restorative justice in Richmond (wric.com) — A national Safe & Restorative Schools Learning Tour stopped in Richmond this weekend, drawing students, local leaders and legislators to Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church to tackle mental health crises among Black teens. Speakers highlighted disparities in school discipline, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the push for restorative practices in Richmond schools, with local youth and School Board members actively involved.
   

4. Fritz Sassine Chosen to Lead General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems (capecharlesmirror.com) — State lawmakers in Richmond have tapped veteran IT and cybersecurity leader Fritz Sassine to run the General Assembly’s Division of Legislative Automated Systems on Capitol Square. He’ll oversee the technology behind the Legislative Information System and other tools that give Richmond-area residents and all Virginians access to bills, records, and legislative services. His appointment took effect December 10, 2025.
   

5. Richmond's mail processing center whirs into gear during the holidays (richmond.com) — Richmond’s Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Sandston is the Postal Service’s busy hub for holiday mail, handling millions of letters and packages bound across Virginia. Recent photos show both the intense workload and some operational strains, from crowded docks to water-damaged mail, as the facility ramps up to keep Christmas deliveries moving.
   

📸 Around Richmond

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Richmond

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 13

• Orchard After Dark
  Blue Bee Cider , 4811 Bethlehem Rd , Richmond
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Virginia House Holiday Open House
  Virginia House , 4301 Sulgrave Rd , Richmond
  12:00 pm
• Bingo Beer Holiday Market
  Bingo Beer Co , 2900 W Broad St , Richmond
  12:00 pm

Monday December 15

• FREE December Classes - Zumba w/ Sam
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Book Babies
  North Avenue Meeting Room
  10:30 am

Wednesday December 17

• Preschool Storytime
  North Avenue Meeting Room
  11:00 am
• Calm & Cardio w/ Fitness Warriors (15-adult) (2900 Building)
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  5:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More
  The Byrd Theatre , 2908 W Cary St , Richmond
  6:30 pm
• Rocky Dale Davis
  Richmond Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant , 11800 W Broad St , Richmond
  7:00 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Byrd Theatre , 2908 W Cary St , Richmond
  8:45 pm

Friday December 19

• Holiday Hula
  Montpelier Branch Library , 15302 Clazemont Rd , Montpelier
  2:00 pm
• Polar Express Party
  Mechanicsville Branch Library , 7461 Sherwood Crossing Pl , Mechanicsville
  3:30 pm

📣 Richmond Shout Outs!

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Richmond PatchAM possible:

• Simple Solutions Psychiatry, LLC — (434) 259-8085
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: Pet Reunited
  A dog who went missing in Montrose, VA, has been safely reunited with their family after 4 hours, 29 minutes. Message from Finder: "This friendly… (Nextdoor Fulton)
• Found cat: very sweet gray male cat found in Lakefield Mews Apartment Complex.
  Does he belong to anyone in the area? No tags on him He’s very gentle and friendly! Taking him tomorrow to get checked for a chip. If no shelter… (Nextdoor Lakefield Mews)

• Trooper S. Winn was recognized by MADD Virginia at their annual awards ceremony on December 10th. Winn received the Richmond Ford Award, presented to... (X: VSPPIO)
• Road closures planned in Chesterfield for Tacky Light Run... (X: 8NEWS)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Material Handler Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Richmond. Apply here.
• CBRE Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Global Occupancy Planning Director - (East Coast Preferred) in Richmond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Richmond here.

Ok Richmond! 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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