This holiday season, Give the Gift that Saves Lives! 

As we celebrate the holidays, let’s Give the Gift that Means Something! 

• Holiday fun can push blood donation to the bottom of the to-do list. Winter weather and seasonal illness can also impact the blood supply.
• We need donors to shake up their holiday plans and make giving blood a priority this season to ensure we can meet the needs of patients all winter long.
• [FOR DRIVES NOV. 28-DEC. 15] Give a gift, get a gift! All who come to give Nov. 28-Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to our partners at Amazon. Terms apply, see rcblood.org/together.
• [FOR DRIVES DEC. 16-JAN. 2] To show our thanks, all who come to give Dec. 16-Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
• Save time with RapidPass^®. Complete your pre-donation reading and health history at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or with the Blood Donor App before your appointment.
• Eligibility questions? Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

Did You Miss the Holiday Cookie Exchange?

GPRA Event/Social and Membership Teams hosted an exciting Holiday Cookie Exchange, Sunday, December 4, at Ginter Place. Alex Hassan entertained with classic holiday music, and guests enjoyed savory and sweet nibbles and each others’ company.  All particvipants in the excahnge took home a box of assorted cookies and confections and exchanged recipes, and dozens of sweets were boxed and delivered to RFD Fire Stations 14 and 16.

We thank Prudence Justis, Co-Chair, Events/Social Committee, Carrie Vuori, new Membership Chair, for creating this event, which glowed with holiday cheer and joy. Thank you, Julie Davis O’Kelly, Leslee Oliver, Melissa Oefelein, and others who helped to organize and set up this event. This is likely to be an annual tradition, so watch for it in December 2023!

Neighborhood News! New Public Safety and Traffic Safety Leadership for Ginter Park!

One of the key advantages of having an active neighborhood association is representation with City of Richmond government and departments regarding neighborhood concerns and interests. During 2022, the two areas where the Board recived a steady flow of communications of concerns are public safety and traffic safety. The Board is happy to welcome two new leaders to our Association.

Mary Ann Batsche has been appointed by the Board as Public Safety Chair for the remainder of 2022 and for the 2023 term. Mary Ann and her husband, Stephen, have resided in Ginter Park for 6 years. Mary Ann has a strong interest in our neighborhood and in our safety. She has completed the RPD Citizens Academy and a ride-along with an officer. Mary Ann is the Director of Communications and Community Programs for Mary Washington University Healthcare, and so brings skills to her volunteer work with GPRA to build good communications and strategies with neighbors and with RPD Fourth Precinct.

Jon Oliver, Traffic Committee Chair, and his wife, Leslee, moved to Ginter Park over 1 year ago, and have jumped into association activities. Jon is an Engineer with professional work in road design andf traffic engineering. He is very interested in working with residents throughout the neighborhood who have traffic safety concerns. He has been brought up-to-date about City Traffic Engineering-implenmented traffic calming measures throughout the neighborhood, as well as problematic areas communicated to the Board during 2022. Jon will take a thoughtful, wholistic approach to GPRA formal requests to the city for interventions.

Effective Monday, December 12, all may contact Mary Ann at safety@ginterpark.org

and may contact Jon at traffic@ginterpark.org

Both Jon and Mary Ann are open to meeting with groups of neighbors who would like to discuss concerns in specific areas of Ginter Park.

First Board Meeting of 2023:  Tuesday, January 10, 6:30 pm, location and Zoom link TBA. This first Board Meeting of the new year will include the 2022 and 2023 Boards for a smooth transition. Board Meetings are opne to the public.

The Communications Team is grateful to receive your feedback and suggestions regarding the Gazette, the monthly Newsletter, and our posts on social media. Stay engaged and informed-don’t miss a thing! 

Susan