Culpeper woman believes in angels

The Elderly Angel Tree is Doris Clatterbuck’s baby.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

In its seventh year, the program of Culpeper Social Services matches needy seniors and disabled people with people who have a notion to give this season.

Each angel — there are 210 this year — is marked with an age, gender and a few simple wishes: shaving cream, fruit, cookies, toaster, grocery gift card.

Folks “adopting” angels can buy one or all of the wishes, wrap them up and drop them in Clatterbuck’s office by Dec. 15.

Select your angel from one of two trees this year on display at Golden Corral along Bus. 29 or the Country Shoppes of Culpeper along U.S. 29 south of town.

“The elderly just get forgotten about,” said Country Shoppes manager Terri Crawford of why the business decided to support the program this year.

Check out the store’s 7-foot tree covered with angels.

Or pick up some lunch and an angel at Golden Corral, an Angel Tree supporter from the beginning of the program.

“There are many seniors out there who don’t get anything for Christmas,” said restaurant owner Susan Damon. “I see a lot of elderly people coming in here that don’t have any family.”

She and most all of her employees adopt an angel.

“It lets them know we didn’t forget them,” Damon said.

The most senior angel this year is a 98-year-old woman who lives alone. She is joined by needy men and women in their 40s through 80s and up.

The tree’s only child is a very special little girl who’s lived with disability since the day she was born, said Clatterbuck, executive assistant to Chip Coleman, director of Culpeper Human Services.

Though most always smiling and upbeat, she turned serious, realizing tough times could affect her Angel Tree.

“What scares me this year of all the years I’ve done it is this economic trend,” Clatterbuck said. “I’m just really scared that my angels are not going to get adopted. I would not be shocked.”

Either way, every angel gets at least one Christmas present, she said, adding, “I will make arrangements.”

Every year since that first year when she had just 25 angels, Clatterbuck gets emotional talking about why she does it.

“I lost my parents. For me to do this is my way of showing that I love my parents.”

Clatterbuck’s angels are undemanding people who don’t expect much. Many of them have to choose between buying food, for example, and medicine.

Many barely make ends meet while housing and taking care of grandchildren.

Powders, lotions, cookies, slippers and such are luxuries for these angels of Culpeper. About half of this year’s seniors regularly attend Gladys Williams’ Nutrition Site on U.S. Avenue.

Thankfully, two churches have already adopted 30 angels each, Clatterbuck said. Three other individuals adopted two each.

So, although she doubts because of the economic uncertainty, “I know the community is going to step up and help me out. I shouldn’t be concerned but you never know.”

Want to adopt an angel?
Select your angel from one of two trees this year on display at Golden Corral along Bus. 29 or the Country Shoppes of Culpeper along U.S. 29 south of town.

Sign your name, address, phone number and angel number on the clipboard. Purchase one or more of the wishes listed on the angel, wrap the items and return them to Doris Clatterbuck, third floor Culpeper Human Services, 219 E. Davis St. downtown by Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. All presents will be delivered Dec. 16.

For more information, call 727-0372 ext. 360.