/
Dave and Judy Fuller
Dave and Judy Fuller
Tea Ragsdale

Tea Ragsdale

Story of Service: Tea Ragsdale

Tea Ragsdale is an AmeriCorps member serving as a Literacy Lab tutor at Saunders Elementary School. She has worked in office and property management jobs, but never felt that her personality and creativity were seen as assets in those roles. "I think, with AmeriCorps, I've found my tribe," she reflects. "I chose to serve with the Literacy Lab simply because reading got me through some difficult times, from an early age to the present day. As a childhood cancer patient in the 1970s, reading gave me comfort, gave me hope, and sometimes the answers I was seeking to improve myself and...
tap-tax-clinic-volunteers_54889661397_o

VITA Tax Clinic Volunteers at Total Action for Progress

Story of Service: VITA Tax Clinic Volunteers at Total Action for Progress

Since 2002, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic at Total Action for Progress (TAP) has provided free, high-quality tax preparation for low- and moderate-income residents across Southwest Virginia, empowering families to claim critical credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, and build financial stability. Through the service of committed volunteers, the clinic has become a regional model of volunteer-driven service. A dedicated team of volunteers serve at the clinic, including Steve Cronemeyer, David Hunter, Diane Johns, John Normandy, Gerald Oefelein, Barbara Stecker, and Tom Willard, who collectively contribute thousands of hours each year. These volunteers manage every aspect of...
Eliot Carlson

Eliot Carlson

Story of Service: Eliot Carlson

After 26 years of distinguished service as a U.S. Navy Senior Chief, Eliot Carlson chose not to retire from service—but to redefine it. As the volunteer Executive Director of Hero Kids Foundation (HKF), Eliot channels his lifelong commitment to duty into supporting military and first responder families through innovative, healing focused programs. Under his leadership, HKF has achieved a 20% increase in funding and launched its first formal volunteer program, mobilizing more than 400 volunteers in 2024. Eliot’s strategic partnerships have expanded the organization’s reach, creating lasting community connections and ensuring sustainability for years to come. His creativity and compassion...
360133189_599790838945128_8174318016152852924_n

The Chapel

Story of Service: The Chapel

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree The Chapel has physical locations throughout the greater Richmond area and a life-giving online community, including Spanish-language worship services. The Chapel serves the community in a variety of ways, including monthly outreach to the homeless and worship services for those incarcerated at Chesterfield County Jail and in 42 state prisons in the Virginia Department of Corrections. They also have many partnerships with local outreach organizations as well as around the world.     The Chapel offers practical and enjoyable ways to discover life-changing community. Meaningful relationships aren’t always easy to find but The Chapel...
IMG_3476

Samuel Sachs

Story of Service: Samuel Sachs

At just 11 years old, while undergoing treatment for T-cell leukemia during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam turned his personal struggle into a movement of compassion and action. After months in the hospital, he saw firsthand how many young patients spent long, lonely days without family by their side—an experience that inspired him to found Sam’s Warriors in 2021. His vision: to ensure that no child or family faces illness alone. Since then, Sam has raised more than $110,000 to support families at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), where he continues to serve as an ambassador...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Kimbra Staten

Story of Service: Kimbra Staten

Kimbra, with the Rappahannock Goodwill - Goodskills Literacy Corps Americorps program in Fredericksburg, says the experience has opened up a whole new world to her. "I've had an exciting service year and as I begin on my second term I am elated on what I will discover about myself and others that I tutor," she says. "The most rewarding experience is meeting and interacting with a diversity of people. This volunteer position has enlightened me in enormous ways. Between the personal development training, conferences, workshops and online studies -- I feel confident that AmeriCorps will propel me into being an...

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.