VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. — At 98 years old, Gloria Bratcher is not slowing down her mission to help others.
Bratcher and her friends at First Colonial Inn in Virginia Beach braid T-shirts together to create jump ropes. The ropes are sent to Bratcher's granddaughter, who works with the charity Samaritan's Purse, and distributed to children across the globe who otherwise wouldn't receive anything for Christmas.
"We start off with strips that are 12 feet long," Bratcher said.
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The braiding process is hands-on and deliberate — weaving left to center, right to center, and finishing each rope with a tassel.
"Can you imagine the joy children have," Bratcher said.
Bratcher has spent her life helping others, including knitting hats for newborn babies in the hospital. At 98, she said she needed something a bit more manageable.
"I'm not as active as I used to be physically, but there's always something someone can do," Bratcher said.
She said her faith drives the work.
"I feel this is what God wants me to do. This is what he has directed at this time in my life," Bratcher said.
She doesn't do it alone. Friends have rallied around her mission, including Joan Yermal.
I asked, "Are you grateful that Miss Bratcher brought you all together?"
Yermal answered, "Oh, yeah, she's wonderful! She's really wonderful."
Watch: Kindergarten teacher who sends care packages to children worldwide wins 2025 Everyday Hero Humanitarian Award
Bratcher was recently honored as a News 3 Everyday Hero. Community partner Southern Bank celebrated her with a $425 gift card — $300 from their standard award, plus an additional $125 in honor of the bank's 125th anniversary.
Her son said she has always been someone to look up to.
"I'm very proud of her and the whole, whole group of ladies for what they've been doing," David Bratcher said.
Her granddaughter, whose work with Samaritan's Purse inspired the jump rope project, said the recognition is well deserved.
"I'm so proud of her. I'm glad that she just makes such a difference in the lives of others and all in the name of the Lord," she said.
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