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

Betty L. Robinette

Story of Service: Betty L. Robinette

Congratulations to Betty L. Robinette of Wytheville - winner of the 2021 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Senior Volunteer! For people who live in rural areas, fighting hunger is a serious issue. Communities like Southwest Virginia face a number of challenges – from scarcity of grocery stores and food pantries compounded with a lack of transportation to diminishing job opportunities and higher rates of unemployment. This is where Betty Robinette saw a growing need and did more than step into make a difference. Betty was the catalyst that started the Community Food Kitchen in 2012. When the...
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Julie Strandlie

Story of Service: Julie Strandlie

Having offered years of service and expertise to Serve Virginia, Julie Strandlie recently concluded multiple terms on the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism (GAB). "I have thoroughly enjoyed my eight years of service on the Governor’s Advisory Board and, since 2023, as chair of the Virginia Service Foundation," she reflects. "I was first appointed in 2015 by Governor Terry McAuliffe to an unexpired term and then reappointed twice by Governor Ralph Northam. I was also honored to serve as [GAB] Board Chair for two years." "I am so proud of the appointed Board and the fantastic [Serve Virginia] staff...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Dana Dougherty

Story of Service: Dana Dougherty

Congratulations to Dana Dougherty of Arlington - winner of the 2018 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Adult Volunteer! Dana Dougherty’s passion for healthy living is getting children and families moving in Arlington! Dana began her quest at Oakridge Elementary, an urban school also known as an “international neighborhood school” with a population speaking more than 40 languages. Here she spends countless hours creating and running an “all are welcome” morning fitness program and family fitness nights. Dana also realized the need for students to have “movement breaks” throughout the day in order to refocus on learning. She created 2Fit2Quit,...
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Kids Give Back

Story of Service: Kids Give Back

Established as a nonprofit in 2019, Kids Give Back grew out of an afterschool club and a realization that there were not enough opportunities for children between 6 and 12 years old to volunteer. Since then, over 300 volunteers have completed over 3,000 volunteer hours, contributing over 2,000 in-kind donations in 2022. Youth are engaged in virtual volunteer events, Family Volunteer Days, Summer Volunteer Camps and more. Every project completed meets an identified need in the community, while inspiring the next generation of volunteers. Volunteer leaders and board ensure that students are actively engaged in projects that make a difference...
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Bruce Lamond

Story of Service: Bruce Lamond

Bruce Lamond is a second-year Virginia College Advising Corps adviser at Mecklenburg County High School, which just opened in 2022. He served in the Marine Corps for several years before graduating from the University of Virginia in 2022. During his military service, Bruce became passionate about youth mentorship, prompting him to pursue a degree in Youth and Social Innovation and to step into several student support roles at UVA. “I learned about AmeriCorps and VCAC in my senior year of college when an assistant director of VCAC presented on the program in one of my classes,” recalls Bruce. “As soon...
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Jim Morrison

Story of Service: Jim Morrison

Recently volunteer Fire Chief John Morrison of Vienna was named the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. John was instrumental in the development of a Volunteer Management System uniting all 12 Fairfax County volunteer fire departments into a single portal to share resources, metrics and information.   The IAFC has honored one volunteer and one career firefighter annually since 1996. The Fire Chief of the Year award goes to a person who has "shown exemplary contributions in the areas of leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service,"...

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.