MATHEWS COUNTY, Va. — Amy Ashberry is a beloved kindergarten teacher at Mathews Elementary School, but her reach goes far beyond her classroom.
“She is a godsend to the community [and] to the people all across the world,” said Ernestine Bonney, whose grandchildren were once students in Ashberry’s class.” [She] is just amazing!”
Bonney said she nominated Ashberry for the News 3 Everyday Hero award because of the teacher’s efforts to send thousands of boxes of care packages to children in need across the globe.
“I just love to reach as many kids as we can,” said Ashberry. “A lot of amazing people in this community […] all give a little bit, and make big things happen.”
Ashberry is a volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, a mission of the relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. Every year, Ashberry galvanizes the Mathews County community — including her students — to collect school supplies, clothes and toys and pack them into thousands of shoe boxes. Ashberry said since 2020, Operation Christmas Child has sent nearly 11,000 shoe boxes to children in 160 countries.
One of Ashberry’s kindergarten students said she likes to help her teacher “because [some] kids don’t have any toys, but I want them to have toys and happy Christmases.”
To help store and transport the growing number of packages every year, Ashberry said she purchased two school buses at auction.
“She goes above and beyond every day,” said Cynthia Gray, the Mathews Elementary School principal. “Amy is a phenomenal teacher.”
In addition to receiving the News 3 Everyday Hero award, Southern Bank also awarded Ashberry with a $300 gift card.
She exclaimed, “Thank you, Southern Bank!"
Ashberry said so far this year, Operation Christmas Child has packed roughly 1,600 boxes. You can help expand their efforts by donating money or school supplies, hygiene items, clothing, shoes and toys. She also invited volunteers to join the Facebook group “Amy’s Mission Friends”.
If you know someone like Ashberry who goes above and beyond to help others, let us know by nominating them for an Everyday Hero award.
