Dana Dougherty
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Denise Bland

Story of Service: Denise Bland

The Virginia Community Healthcare Association recently named Denise Bland Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. Denise's efforts helped to expand primary care to eight locations offering a wide range of services including primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, pharmacy assistance services, pediatrics, and a robust school dental program.   She has served Eastern Shore Rural Health as board president for 17 years through June 25, 2019. When Eastern Shore Rural Health first began in 1976, the organization’s focus was to make primary care more accessible to people living on...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Lori Schmiege & Huey Gordon

Story of Service: Lori Schmiege & Huey Gordon

National Service Alumni of the Year Huey Gordon & Lorie Schmiege, CARITAS, Richmond Both AmeriCorps Alums with CARITAS, the dynamic duo of Lori Schmiege and Huey Gordon manage the CARITAS Furniture Bank operations. Lori, who served from 2010-2011, and Huey, who served from 2011-2012, both react with empathy and a resolve to “get things done,” attitudes they developed as members. They are also both willing and happy to coach and mentor other AmeriCorps members and ultimately show these members how to be excellent employees when they move on to the workforce. Since joining CARITAS staff, they have mentored 40 AmeriCorps members...
Ellen

Ellen and Brian Swedberg

Story of Service: Ellen and Brian Swedberg

Ellen and Brian Swedberg are among the newest members of the volunteer team at Historic Christ Church & Museum (HCC&M) in Weems, Virginia, having first discovered the organization at the Irvington Farmer’s Market last year. Their curiosity quickly turned into commitment. After attending the annual spring volunteer training, they’ve been enthusiastically involved in volunteer service.  “Volunteering at Historic Christ Church has been a wonderful experience. The foundation treats its volunteers as professionals and offers them an amazing opportunity to learn the local history at your own pace and timeline," says Brian. Ellen, a talented seamstress, was immediately drawn to becoming...
Deb Farrar

Debbie Farrar

Story of Service: Debbie Farrar

Debbie Farrar is a retired police officer and has also been a group exercise instructor for most of her adult life. As a volunteer, she currently teaches SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life), an evidence-based fall prevention program centered around a strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Debbie recalls, "I heard about SAIL from a friend of mine who is in her 70s and asked Loudoun County’s Cascades Senior Center about it. I went through teacher training in 2023 and have been teaching ever since. The program lasts for 12 weeks. I have a student...
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Change the World RVA

Story of Service: Change the World RVA

For many kids, high school and college is an exciting and memorable time in their lives. But imagine what it would be like to go through this challenging and important phase without family support, without the tools to learn, and without a place to sleep at night. Change the World RVA, winner of the 2016 Governor's Award for Outstanding Community Organization, is the only organization in Central Virginia specifically addressing the needs of high school and college students who face homelessness. An all-volunteer organization, Change the World saw an overwhelming need in the community – with nearly 1,800 homeless students...
Alumns

GrandInvolve

Story of Service: GrandInvolve

Congratulations to GrandInvolve of Fairfax - winner of the 2017 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! For many economically disadvantaged schools in Fairfax County, getting consistent volunteers to help out in the classroom is an immense challenge. The innovative GrandInvolve program places older adults who offer their skills and talents to students directly into the area’s elementary schools. The seniors volunteer at the schools at least once a week for several hours assisting with reading and math, material preparation, library services, mentoring and kindergarten readiness. Each volunteer builds lasting relationships with the students by coming back...

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