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William Giswold
William Giswold
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Hunter LeClair

Story of Service: Hunter LeClair

Hunter LeClair was Bay Aging’s first AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2016. The focus of her VISTA project was to build capacity of the Northern Neck Middle Peninsula Housing Coalition, the region’s homeless response system recognized by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Projects focused on grant research, policy creation, and data analysis. While Bay Aging held the role of Lead Agency for this coalition, Bay Aging did not directly administer any homeless services. Post-service, Hunter was hired full-time as Program Manager and continued to pursue ways that Bay Aging could directly participate in functionally ending homelessness in the...
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Bezawit Getachew Mulatu

Story of Service: Bezawit Getachew Mulatu

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree Bezawit Getachew Mulatu is a University of Richmond (UR) pre-med and pre-law student dedicated to improving lives and fostering inclusivity.   She serves as a first responder with UR Emergency Medical Services and the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad, as well as a volunteer clinician at CrossOver Health Ministry and with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. She strives to be conversational in multiple languages, including American Sign Language, and learns Braille to ensure inclusive communication in her future medical and legal roles. She also enjoys making balloon animals from surgical gloves and performing...
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Abbey Pence

Story of Service: Abbey Pence

Abbey Pence is an AmeriCorps member serving as a first-year Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC) adviser at Cumberland High School.   Abbey discovered VCAC and AmeriCorps while she was in high school, where she was supported by a VCAC adviser. Combining that experience with her current service, she has a unique understanding of the impact and opportunity that national service can have on those who receive support from AmeriCorps members—as well as the members themselves. "My biggest tip that I would give to any recent graduate looking at what's next for them is to try something that may be out...
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Bessida Cauthorne White

Story of Service: Bessida Cauthorne White

Bessida Cauthorne White is a dedicated volunteer, activist, genealogist, and retired attorney. As a volunteer, she is committed to serving at the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, where her ongoing tasks include collaborating with museum staff, board, citizens, and historical entities to identify speakers or programs that reflect an aspect of local history. She also works to identify appropriate locations for programming with museum support. Bessida says, "I am passionate about community history and appreciate the way that a comprehension of its many facets fosters critical thinking and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures. The Middlesex County Museum and...
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Mary Lee Di Spirito

Story of Service: Mary Lee Di Spirito

2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree Mary Lee Di Spirito coordinates the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) furniture program, which she managed for decades with her husband, Don, who passed away earlier this year. She has volunteered with ACCA for more than thirty years, generously giving time and talents to the Annandale community, impacting countless local families.   As part of her ACCA service, she spearheaded the expansion of ACCA's ministry to include furniture distribution and has worked for more than 25 years to help provide residents with safe and comfortable furnishings. Since then, ACCA's furniture ministry has...
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...

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