With deep sadness, the Board of the Montgomery County Christmas Store shares the loss of Leslie Glenn Tyndall.
Not only was he a former longtime director of the Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation and member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church but he was one of the original founders of the Christmas Store. Rev. Glenn Tyndall passed away Mar. 5, 2026, in Ashburn, Virginia. He had moved there several years before to be near family.
Glenn was one of the five original members that created the Christmas Store in 1982. At that time, Glenn led the Pairs and Spares class at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, and he longed for a more dignified way to help families in need at Christmas instead of just handing them baskets that the class bought for families.
Glenn and his wife, LaVina, saw an article in a Family Circle magazine highlighting a Christmas Store in Norman, Oklahoma. Sally and Jim Bohland had moved from there and were familiar with the store. Sally was a social worker in rural Montgomery County and knew the need that our local Social Services could not meet. So, Glenn, with the help of LaVina, Jim and Sally Bohland and Nancy Bowman, formed a group to create a Christmas Store in Montgomery County. Glenn, with the help of Voluntary Action, called a meeting of churches, civic organizations and the community to explain their dream. The original five members began holding meetings explaining the concept of the store and giving speeches throughout the area. With the help of Blacksburg and Christiansburg residents, the first Christmas Store began here in 1982. The store served 267 families with a budget of less than $20,000 that they raised for their mission. In 2025, the store served over 1,200 families made up of around 4,000 individuals with a budget that has grown over $500,000 in annual operations since 1982!
For years the Christmas Store opened each year in donated, empty buildings. Then everything had to be packed up and stored. Glenn was instrumental in recruiting businesses to contribute to the purchase of the current building. Now everything in the store stays set up and volunteers are able to work in the store all year to get ready for Store Week.
As a founder and leader of the Montgomery County Christmas Store, Glenn served in many roles-board president, chairperson, fund-raising, volunteer during Store Week and so much more. He was well known and would “work the phones” calling previous or potential donors to explain the need for funds to stock the Christmas Store.
The Christmas Store Board and thousands of shoppers through all these years, owe so much to this kind, compassionate man whose dream for a “more dignified way to help others at Christmas” became a reality.
“The Christmas Store was one of his greatest things in life,” stated his daughter.
Donations to honor this beloved visionary can be made to the Montgomery County Christmas Store (https://www.mcchristmasstore.org/fundraising).
Terri Lynn Howard
Mont. Co. Christmas Store
