Students at Patriot High School are encouraged to develop their full leadership potential, demonstrate integrity, understand the importance of character, and consistently display pride: pride in their accomplishments, community, and school. Members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club used these values as they answered the call to serve in their local community. Each year, the students engaged in the Patriot FCCLA Club come together to contribute their time and talent to support the local community. By hosting events and service projects, club members seek to make a difference and leave a legacy that contributes to the...

The Berry Family of Harrisonburg, Virginia, saw a local need related to food insecurity in their area. Dubbed the "Brent Berry Food Drive," in honor of their son, Brent, the family took the initiative to help meet the need. This is a massive drive that they have conducted for 15 years, with the 2022 drive being the largest ever, collecting an estimated $65,000 in food and personal hygiene items for community members in need. They donate the collected items to the local Salvation Army, effectively stocking their pantry for a large portion of the year. Rather than being forced to...

Congratulations to HERO Club of Amherst County High School - winner of the 2020 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Educational Institution! When Amherst County High School student Alannah Wilson started the HERO (Helping Everyone Reach Out) Club four years again, she never dreamed the ripple effect it would have. She founded the student-led organization during her freshman year with a two-fold goal: answering people's questions about disabilities and how those disabilities affect people, and facilitating self-determination and self-advocacy. The club has grown to 30 volunteers, both students and their family members, annually. Membership is comprised of students...

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of HII, is a major employer in Hampton Roads with more than 26,000 shipbuilders. NNS gives back to the community by preparing underserved students for college and the workforce as part of a strategic effort to meet its critical hiring needs and strengthen the local economy.   Through initiatives like STEM mentoring, career awareness programs, teacher internships, and experiential learning, NNS helps students build the foundational skills needed for careers in the maritime industry. These programs introduce students to the opportunities available and help them envision themselves...

Sydney Sanders is an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. She originally discovered AmeriCorps VISTA in college, hearing fellow students discuss their post-graduation plans. "After I graduated, I knew I wanted to find a program or position that would afford me the opportunity to apply the knowledge I gained in school, while also cultivating new skills," she recalls. "What drew me to serve was the unique position I applied for and ended up being offered." Through her VISTA service at the Federation, Sydney has had the chance to be involved in a broad range of...

Matt Mooneyham found out about AmeriCorps VISTA from a conversation with his father, who shared that one of his coworker's sons did AmeriCorps after college and really enjoyed it. He recalls, "I decided to serve because I have always really enjoyed serving people, I also thought it would be a good opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally." In his current term, Matt is serving with Bay Aging, an organization providing programs and services people of all ages need to live independently in their communities. Matt engages with community members and supports Bay Aging's Regional Resilience and Equity Workgroup. He...