POUNDING MILL, Va. -All year long, WVVA Hometown Hero Rocky Hill helps kids and their families through his work with the nonprofit “God’s Rockstars,” usually closing the year with “Shirley Hill Christmas” in Richlands. There, they distribute gifts to everyone, making sure kids aren’t divided by need.
Following Hurricane Helene, however, Hill wanted to help the families in Damascus, Virginia, trying to celebrate Christmas in an area devastated by flooding. Hill says the Damascus locals were surprised to see the large amount of toys coming from Tazewell County, enough to make sure each child got eight gifts each.
Hill says he’s never seen so much appreciation from families and told us one story shared by a mom in attendance.
“…Her son is seven years old, and he didn’t believe in Santa Claus, didn’t even believe in Christmas. And after he left there, he was in the car and said, ‘You know, Mommy, I think that was the real Santa Claus down there at that door because who would give away that many toys to so many kids without being the real Santa Claus. I… wasn’t dressed up, had my old tank tops on like I do now, my tattoos were showing, and the little boy thought I was the real-life Santa Claus,” says Hill.
Our area wasn’t left out either, with God’s Rockstars helping give gifts to around two thousand kids at four elementary schools in Tazewell and Russell County.
Hill thanks everyone who donated, including the businesses giving back to their communities. If you would like to donate, Hill says you can contact him and keep up to date on events on his social media.
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