The Fauquier County & Vicinity Ministers Coalition

November 8, 2025

For 34 years, the Fauquier County & Vicinity Ministers Coalition (FCVMC) has been a steadfast force for spiritual and community transformation in Southern Fauquier County, Virginia. This volunteer-led coalition of 20 churches unites pastors, lay leaders, and congregants in Christ-centered service, demonstrating how faith in action can uplift entire communities.

FCVMC serves the most vulnerable through programs including jail and prison ministry, homeless outreach, senior care, youth
mentorship, and annual community events. Over the decades, the Coalition has contributed an estimated 1.6 million volunteer hours, hosting 22 consecutive annual revivals and countless community fairs, yard sales, and service projects that meet both practical and spiritual needs.

The Coalition’s leadership is rooted in unity, compassion, and consistency. By bringing together diverse congregations across
racial, denominational, and geographic lines, FCVMC models reconciliation and collaboration, inspiring civic leaders, schools,
law enforcement, and other nonprofits to engage in meaningful partnerships.

What sets FCVMC apart is its unwavering dedication, achieved entirely through volunteer service. Every hour given, every meal
prepared, and every visit made is a testament to faith translated into action. Through decades of service, the Coalition has not only met immediate needs but fostered a culture of hope, unity, and transformation—leaving a lasting legacy of love and service for generations to come.

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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...

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

The Hope Center

Story of Service: The Hope Center

Congratulations to The Hope Center of Petersburg - winner of the 2020 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! The Hope Center, which serves as the community outreach of Downtown Churches United, Inc. (DCU), contributes more than 14,000 hours of service to the Petersburg community annually. Providing hunger and financial relief services, The Hope Center operates the Daily Feeding Program, which includes a food pantry, help with paying utility bill payments, and regular blood pressure screenings. The Hope Center is Petersburg's largest social service charity dedicated to alleviating hunger. Access to healthy food and hunger are critical...

Nancy Feldner

Story of Service: Nancy Feldner

Nancy Feldner is a volunteer with the Columbia Baptist Church's Spend Yourself Food Pantry ministry in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia. As a professional chef and baker, she first came to Spend Yourself to provide cooking and nutrition presentations for those served through the Food Pantry and saw a way to meet additional community needs. Six years ago, she initiated God's Closet (El Armario de Dios), which provides clothing and supplies to Food Pantry clients, especially those with infants and preschoolers. She assists hundreds of families each year, volunteering more than 100 hours each month to help meet the needs of low-income...

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...

Teen Helps Low Income Students

Story of Service: Teen Helps Low Income Students

Six months ago, in the midst of online learning, Fairfax County teen Ian Wallace decided to use his love of building computers to help low-income students. Wallace learned his love of computers from his father, who still keeps the original desktop he built in their garage. When it came time for his Eagle Scout project, he decided to teach students of immigrant families how to build computers of their own. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t have a computer, they don’t even have enough money to buy one themself, and I thought it would also be nice since I know how to build...

Cathie Cummins

Story of Service: Cathie Cummins

Congratulations to Cathie Cummins of Union Hall - winner of the 2018 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Senior Volunteer!As a pediatric physical therapist for more than 30 years, Cathie Cummins has seen firsthand the needs that exist in the community for assistive equipment for children with disabilities. Recognizing that resources were limited and adaptive equipment was too expensive for many families, Cathie began adaptive equipment loan programs in both Northern and Southwest Virginia. After identifying a successful model and a statewide need, Cathy started Children’s Assistive Technology Service (CATS) which provides for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment...

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