Trails to Recovery - Serve Virginia

Trails to Recovery

November 8, 2025

Trails to Recovery is a volunteer-led nonprofit that emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to bring hope, stability, and rebuilding to Southwest Virginia communities including Alvarado, Damascus, Green Cove, Konnarock, Taylors Valley, and Whitetop. The organization has spearheaded the construction of eight new homes and the repair of 95 additional homes damaged or destroyed by the storm, partnering with the Baptist General Assembly of Virginia/Impact Mission, Mennonite Disaster Service, and Storm Aid.

Motivated by the needs of friends, neighbors, and even strangers, Trails to Recovery raised over $1.8 million, developing volunteer teams to restore homes, acquire land, and provide families with safe, sustainable housing designed to withstand future natural disasters. Their efforts have not only rebuilt houses but also restored hope, faith, and community cohesion.

Trails to Recovery’s volunteers exemplify resilience, compassion, and selfless service. Committee members—including Tony Miller, Allen Jessee, Kerry Guest, Jeff Kinder, David Cahill, Mark Nelson, Ciera Wilbur, Larry Klein, Amanda Pillion, Shelly Altizer, Kimberly Wright, and Olivia Bailey—dedicate themselves to helping others recover, providing guidance, labor, and support with unwavering faith and dedication. Their work has transformed lives, giving families better living conditions and a renewed sense of belonging.

Trails to Recovery embodies the power of volunteerism and community service, demonstrating that collective action, fueled by
love and faith, can restore homes, heal hearts, and rebuild communities. Their tireless commitment makes them a true model of service, hope, and sustainability in Southwest Virginia.

Shannon Britt

Story of Service: Shannon Britt

Shannon Britt served as a college adviser at Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia, as part of the Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC), an AmeriCorps program. She found out about AmeriCorps when she was in high school, where she was served by a VCAC adviser. She recalls, "The 2017-2018 school year was our first year having a college adviser. During my fourth year of college at the University of Virginia, I heard someone speak to our Intro to Counseling class in the education school about the program. I was interested in paying forward the great advising I received in high school...

Vonda Johnson

Story of Service: Vonda Johnson

Recently, Cities of Service profiled Norfolk volunteer Vonda Johnson. Check out her story! Vonda, a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, had been struggling with her finances. She participated in Bank On, part of the Cities of Service Resilience AmeriCorps program that strengthens the financial literacy of residents through group classes and personal coaching sessions. “Once you go through the program and see what it’s all about, you’re able to give back to others who may be struggling and dealing with some of the same situations that you were dealing with,” she says. She was relieved to learn that her struggles were not unique. The...

Cydny Neville

Story of Service: Cydny Neville

Congratulations to Cyndy Neville of Prince William County -- winner of the 2017 Virginia Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Adult Volunteer! Full-time teacher Cydny Neville's commitment to students, their families, and her community goes way beyond the classroom. Cydny serves a minimum of 20 hours per week organizing community outreach across Prince William County and Northern Virginia. Her passion for the Prince William community led her to help individuals who are trying to start new businesses. Cyndy has assisted more than 100 small business owners with professional development training and has helped them secure business licenses by...

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

Quality Stone Concepts

Story of Service: Quality Stone Concepts

Congratulations to Quality Stone Concepts of Virginia Beach - winner of the 2018 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Small Business! In the Virginia Beach community, students with a desire to learn building trades and, ultimately, find good quality jobs have some rock solid allies. For nearly a decade, Quality Stone Concepts’ (QSC) owners and employees have volunteered with the Virginia Beach Education Foundation where they mentor students enrolled in construction courses at the Virginia Beach Technical & Career Education Center (TCE). Every two years, a new single-family home is completed by TCE students and the success of the project—The...

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...

Beth Rebholz

Story of Service: Beth Rebholz

For Beth Rebholz, AmeriCorps has provided the ultimate pathway for her to forge a successful career in financial planning. Her interest in finance, combined with her deep-seated roots in service, led her to join as an AmeriCorps member, serve as an AmeriCorps Program Director, and eventually find her dream job! Beth got her early belief in the power of service through her mother, who served as a Hospice volunteer for most of her life and also volunteered at their family’s church. Her mother’s example of community service made the decision to join AmeriCorps a natural fit. Beth also says that...

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