Hometown Heroes

An 89-year-old citizen of Petersburg, she has been a member of the Library Foundation since 2003. Thanks to her efforts, over $1 million has been raised to help refurbish the Petersburg Library.

Who inspires you?

My mother was a dedicated person. She taught me about living a life of service. We didn’t have a lot growing up, but what we did have, we shared with those in need. Being a military wife taught me even more about service. I have a much better life now, and my kids have better lives. I believe it’s because we’ve done good for other people, and that good comes back to us.

What motivates you to continue?

Commitment and dedication are a part of who I am. I was on the original board of directors. I served as the director for the Cameron Foundation, which works toward revitalizing Peterburg. People were supportive and helped out, because they realized we were backing them and helping the community. I just decided to stay committed and am sticking with it.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

I’m a firm believer that service is the rent you pay for your time on earth. Nothing makes you feel better at the end of the day than helping others, so I hope people take away the fact that they help themselves by helping others.

The founder of the Old Dominion Humane Society in Fredericksburg, she has helped rescue over 6,500 dogs.

What are you most proud of?

I’m the original founder, and the one who is here every day. I see the dogs progress and I am so proud of every one of them. I’m also proud of our summer camp. We teach kids about animal control, and a few of them have become foster families!

Who inspires you?

At Massaponax High School there was a small animal care class, and the teacher’s name was Heidi Martin. It was my favorite class, and I felt at home. That’s where I found my love of animals.

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing the dogs’ progress and hearing stories after the dogs have been adopted. Even seeing the dogs on vacation sitting on a yacht! Dogs deserve better, they deserve all the happy endings.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

Instead of just looking at a sad situation, I’d like for people to be a part of the solution.

Website: Old Dominion Humane Society.org/

Anne founded Tree Fredericksburg and works with volunteer groups to replant native trees and restore urban forests.

Of all the things you’ve done with Tree Fredericksburg, what are you most proud of?

We have planted 10,000 trees, and have given away 50,000 trees, all with the purpose of educating people on the importance of trees.

Who inspires you?

We have 52 tree stewards who work with us. They took classes in order to learn and help the mission. No one does anything for themselves, so I think that the others that have joined us are great – they are the backbone.

What motivates you to continue?

I like to stay busy. My husband and I are both 79 and we have had a lot of great luck in our lives. We wanted to give back and help the planet. We’ve lived through the best of times, but there are challenges that young people have in our environment that we didn’t have to face. We are mitigating some of the bad stuff we have done.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

I’d like people to know that everyone can do something. Helping with trees and nature empowers us, and anyone can do it. I’m not a trained arborist or environmentalist. I just wanted to get involved so I did.

Website: <span class=s3"Tree Fredericksburg.org

Elizabeth is the founder of the Next Move Program, an organization that partners with local businesses to provide internships and employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities.

Why did you start Next Move?

I was a special education teacher in Chesterfield County and Powhatan County. I was approached by a local company to start an internship program to bring in special education adults, and did that for about three years.

Then, my future co-founder and I decided to do our own spin-off for this work, which became the Next Move Program. By 2017, we partnered with major corporate groups in the area. We provided specific training for job opportunities. But once people graduated from the Next Move Program, they lost the camaraderie and momentum, so I wanted a permanent solution.

What are you most proud of?

After the success of the Next Move Program, we started the Tablespoons Bakery. Opening the bakery to the public was a big deal. We talked about doing it for so long but we needed involvement from the community, and we had to navigate this during COVID-19. In 2020, we moved into our first full location. In the fall of 2021, we opened it to the public. In 2022, we started running an internship program in the bakery, too!

Now, we have 50 interns from local schools, who are 18-22 years old. They work at the bakery for the majority of the school day. We have an on-site space for classroom learning, and a set curriculum on hospitality, food and beverage, and customer service. We’ve been able to hire so many graduates, and they help run the bakery every day.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

My biggest hope is that we can bring awareness to the disability space. What many don’t know is that there is a 70% unemployment rate in Virginia for adults with special needs, and an 80% unemployment rate nationwide. People don’t understand all the barriers, and we want to create awareness.

Website: The Next Move Program.org

Ellery is the founder of the Broken Men Foundation, which provides tutoring, mentorship, and teaches leadership skills to young men in Richmond.

Of all the things you’ve done with Broken Men Foundation, what are you most proud of?

Seeing these young people succeed. Seeing the boys being receptive to hearing from someone older and seeing the outpowering of love from the community. I am proud of all of the young men, the mentors, and watching people succeed.

Who inspires you?

My mom.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

I hope they learn to never give up, and to trust the process. To just know that there is good in people.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

I’m overwhelmed with joy, and excited. I’m not sure where this next adventure will take us, but to be acknowledged in this way is a great honor. I’m humbled that this small-town kid would be honored this way, and grateful to serve the community that I grew up in.

Website: Broken Men Foundation.org

Janelle volunteers with River City Dreams, which is aimed toward expanding children’s goals, mindset, and opportunities for the future.

Why have you continued to volunteer with River City Dreams?

I was blessed with the opportunity to be exposed to different career paths. My parents helped me explore my curiosity and learn about the ins and outs of different industries, they took things I was interested in and helped me learn all that goes into the business. I want to share the knowledge I have and the blessings I was given with kids who don’t have those same opportunities.

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing kids who might not have the opportunity to be exposed to new ideas. A lot of kids have the dream of being an athlete – but they think that is their only option. The goal of River City Dreams is to help expand their goals and let them know the variety of opportunities that are available.

We’re lucky to have great sponsorships and partnerships with Microsoft and McDonalds. We even have a partnership with the Harlem Globetrotters! We use sports to get kids in the door, and then teach them about coding, statistics, arts, and mathematics.

We have a program called McCode where we meet up at a McDonalds for the afternoon. The kids learn how to create their own video games! Seeing the kid's curiosity grow and the lightbulb go off, that’s what keeps me going.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

That if you have a passion to help, you can. There is always something you can do, no matter how big or small. If you feel called to do something, you should act on it.

Website: River City Dreams.com/

Jen is the founder of LilyPads Housing, a no-cost, short-term housing service using volunteer homes. This organization serves families of patients undergoing treatment at UVA Children's Hospital.

Of all the things you’ve done with LilyPads Housing, what are you most proud of?

I think about how families have to endure so much to care for a sick child. And I’m proud that we can provide support. This happened with our daughter. She has a rare genetic heart defect, and we had to find housing in Boston, where her specialist is. It was stressful. We wanted to help with that process.

During the pandemic, my family also started a bouquet garden. We brought flowers to families in children’s hospitals. We have a lot of volunteers that come and help arrange. Half of the garden is at home and half is in a community plot.

Who inspires you?

My daughter. We did all of this for her. She inspires me every day with how resilient and positive she is, even with all she had to go through.

What motivates you to continue?

I think when you go through hardship, and face the possibility of tragic outcomes, you are surrounded by trauma. You can become broken. You can let the brokenness consume you, or let it crack you open and let the light shine out. I don’t want other families to feel like that. Anything we can do to help families feel less broken, we should do. People sleep in their cars at hospitals because they have nowhere to go.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

People don’t understand that there is a need for medical housing, so I want people to know that there are other organizations out there that are able to help. Unless you’ve been through this with a sick child, it’s impossible to know how lonely, scary, and traumatic it is.

Website: Lily Pads Housing.org

Jerome is a volunteer at Richmond Friends of the Homeless. He has volunteered Monday-Friday for the past 12 years, serving meals to those in need and gathering resources for the organization to distribute.

Who inspires you?

My mother taught me to serve others from a young age. She was always giving whatever she could to others and taught me that the best way to live life is through giving.

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing the need in our community and all the people who come together to help. My fellow volunteers keep me motivated!

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

That we can all do something to make an impact. Even small gestures of kindness make a difference.

Website: Richmond Friends of the Homeless.org

Josh is the founder of Vet to Vet Vehicles, an organization that refurbishes old cars, providing veterans and first responders in need with vehicles. To date, they have donated 17 cars and repaired four free of charge.

Why did you start Vet to Vet Vehicles?

Back in 2015, I left my job at the sheriff's office and was put on disability by the VA. I was just sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I had moved to the Cumberland-Buckingham area and spent time at the local VFW (The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.).

Then a Marine came in and said he had a buddy who was going to lose his job because he couldn’t afford to fix his car. Two weeks later, I was able to present that individual with a car. It was a perfect combination of my hobbies – I love working on cars.

Of all the things you’ve done with Vet to Vet Vehicles, what are you most proud of?

I have donated 17 cars in the last four years, and I’m working toward getting up to 20 this year! Every one of the vehicles has been donated. We don’t sell the cars for parts; we fully refurbish them. We have donated to veterans as far as Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Who inspires you?

My wife won’t let me stop – she keeps pushing me and encouraging me to keep going! My friends and family also support the effort.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

If you can take something you love to do and help other people with it - then you should do it!

Website: Vet to Vet Vehicles.com

At ages 12 and 10, these sisters started a vintage store to raise funds for Teddy Bear Brigade, which provides stuffed animals to children suffering after natural disasters and other traumas.

Of all the things you’ve done with Once Upon A Find Crozet, what are you most proud of?

Tori: Being featured on the news (NBC 29) – it wasn’t something we asked for or expected, and a lot of people saw Once Upon A Find Crozet.

Kate: Getting to know The Teddy Bear Brigade – connecting with them and helping their mission with our business.

Who inspires you?

Tori: My Mom. She helped us start the business and website. She’s transportation and helps us thrift. Also, I’m inspired whenever I see the kids’ happy faces when they get something that they really want.

Kate: My history teacher, Mr. Vaughn. He always tells me to keep going and achieve my dreams – that gives me motivation to keep doing it. I also love seeing the smiles on kids’ faces. It’s heartwarming and I don’t want that smile to disappear.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

Tori: To keep trying even when it’s tiring, or when you feel like giving up. Stay motivated because it could eventually turn into something big!

Kate: I hope they learn that even small things you do make a big difference in the world.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

Tori: Crazy – I didn’t think that was going to happen! I also feel honored. I didn’t think people cared about our business as much as they do.

Kate: I feel very flattered – it’s very nice to know someone else out there is recognizing others and finds our shop interesting.

Website: Once Upon a Find Crozet.square.site/

Lorretta is one of the founders of Fluvanna Leaders for Race & Diversity (FLRD). FLRD works to provide opportunities for people in Fluvanna, with a scholarship program, community events, back to school programs, and more.

Of all the things you’ve done with Fluvanna Leaders for Race & Diversity, what are you most proud of?

Just being able to help people who need help is something I am proud of. There are a lot of people who need help in this county and don’t know how to go about it.

I partnered with the Blue Ridge Health Dept to do food assistance at Fork Union in Fluvanna. I put together a Fork Union Day with 80 vendors as a way to bring in people and let them know that Fork Union is still alive. Now it’s an annual event, bringing in three thousand people into the area. Good thing too, because Fork Union is underserved.

Who inspires you?

My mom. She always taught us to help and look out for your neighbors. No complaining, just doing. She raised us right.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

I wouldn’t call myself a Hometown Hero. I’m just a person who likes to help people. But I do appreciate it, especially since it helps spread the word.

Website: Fluvannalrd.org

Providing art education to children in Richmond, Michael works through Open Space Education. He encourages creative learning by getting kids into a creative environment: nature!

Of all the things you’ve done with Open Space Education, what are you most proud of?

We just unveiled a mural in Jefferson Park that I am proud of. We worked with muralists and kids from Martin Luther King Middle School in the heart of Church Hill.

The boys and girls would walk to the park, look at nature, learn new things, and they were so proud that they were able to name things in nature! We designed the mural, which took 5 weeks. Austin “AUZ” Miles, the muralist, has a signature line that goes through every mural she does. It held the piece together.

Community members stopped by to check it out – there was a lot of neighborhood pride.

Who inspires you?

Growing up, my mother was president of our local Hadassah, and I noticed her selflessness in giving back to others. I think working with underserved youth and communities in this world, if you are trying to make real change, you have to give more than you think you do. It’s fun, and you will enjoy it.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

It’s important to do what you can. It’s not hard. I’m not giving up every weekend to do this, and a little goes a long way. Just showing up is so much for so many of these kids. Remembering a kid's name, or knowing their stories, those individual moments go much farther. It helps them open up. And you can make a difference in kids’ lives. You don’t need to make a grand gesture with a check for $10,000.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

It’s such an honor. To be among the others, it’s really nice.

Website: Open Space Ed.org/

Mike runs the Sunshine Baseball League with the goal of getting kids outside and playing as much as possible. He frequently purchases supplies for kids, so everyone has the opportunity to play.

Of all the things you’ve done with Sunshine Baseball League, what are you most proud of?

Making baseball accessible to everyone, especially for families that can’t afford it, is one of my main goals. Every kid should have the opportunity to play and learn.

In recent years we have welcomed and engaged Afghan refugee children in the league. Through generous donations from local sports stores like Academy Sports and Outdoors, they opened up the shop and let the kids shop for free. Some of the kids only had sandals to play in and wear to school in the winter. Academy Sports and Outdoors gave them shoes, baseball gloves, anything they needed.

Who inspires you?

Doris Buffet. Doris passed away in 2020. She helped build the Sunshine Ballpark in Fredericksburg so kids would have a safe place to play. The league is an extension of her vision.

What motivates you to continue?

I’ve been coaching teams and running leagues in Fredericksburg for 40 years. Seeing the happiness it brings not only to the kids but the coaches motivates me. The positive impact on the community, and the joy on kids’ faces as they play – it’s the reason I do it.

Website: Fredericksburg Sunshine Baseball League.com

Pete is a volunteer with projects:HOMES and builds accessible ramps for those with disabilities, allowing people to stay in their favorite place: home.

Of all the things you’ve done with project:HOMES, what are you most proud of?

Building 468 ramps. Our mission is to build ramps to keep people living in their own homes. I’ll have anywhere from 10-15 volunteers for each ramp project. We’ve put ramps up in the snow, rain, heat, cold – we don’t skip a ramp day unless there are extenuating circumstances.

What motivates you to continue?

I take a lot of personal pride in being the project manager and having things turn out just like I had planned. Through the years, you see the impact you’ve had on people’s lives with just a couple of hours of work. You really can change their quality of life with just a day's work. I see it as my personal calling to keep going.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

That the need is endless. We have an aging population. Anyone can help – it is easy to volunteer, and we always need extra hands. This is a skill anyone can learn.

Website: Project Homes.org

Sandee Smith works toward building awareness around sickle cell anemia by partnering with VCU to educate the community and organizes the annual Unity Ride 4 Sickle Cell to raise funds for research.

Of all the things you’ve done with Unity Ride 4 Sickle Cell, what are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of empowering the community. It all started in Petersburg at one church to register people for the bike ride to raise awareness. Now, the state police escort the ride from Petersburg to Richmond, and it happens every first Saturday in May.

Who inspires you?

Mrs. Flo has always been a firecracker – she is 92 years old. She is always dedicated to sickle cell and raising awareness. We’re working towards a $1 million endowment at VCU, and we’re halfway there. I would love to get that number up to show Mrs. Flo.

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing the success stories, seeing people making connections, and spreading awareness.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

I really just want to spread the word about testing. Know your family tree and get tested!

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

Thankful! I’m just trying to help out and give back where I can. This means a lot.

Website: Unity Ride 4 Sicklecell/

Sandra Antoine helps run The Giving Heart, an organization that provides annual Thanksgiving feasts in Richmond for those who don't have a place to spend the holidays.

What do you love about The Giving Heart?

The Giving Heart was started by Vicki Neilson, it was her vision. I am thankful to have taken over a leadership role. We bring people together on Thanksgiving who didn’t have someone to celebrate with, and those who are less fortunate. This includes the homeless population, law enforcement working on duty, and anyone who doesn't have a place to go.

But it goes beyond Thanksgiving. During the pandemic, we started making meals for kids in the schools. No one came because the bulletin was just placed outside the office. So, I started spreading the word myself and connected with the RPS superintendent's office and started bringing the food to where the students lived. I even looped in the bus drivers to help figure out where the students are.

Of all the things you’ve done with The Giving Heart, what are you most proud of?

Not stopping during the pandemic and figuring out how to get food to people. And rallying everyone. We’ve never gone a year without it, and we are in our 19th year.

Who inspires you?

The former Director Vicki Neilson kept the passion alive. Seeing the families and people who didn’t have someplace to go, enjoying a meal feels good. Having these elders in the community and families act as “table hosts,” and encouraging strangers to sit with them like family is great. These hosts even decorate their tables, and you become one family with strangers.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

I want to build an understanding that there are lonely people in circumstances beyond their control. If we can take a moment in time and be thankful, even if you don’t have much, but it’s enough. Cooking these turkey dinners is a labor of love for a lot of people. We should all go beyond our comfort zones to make a difference. Community is “common-unity.”

Website: The Giving Heart.org

Shirley founded Cry Loud Spare Not Speak Up in memory of her daughter, Francesca. She organizes an annual conference and hosts workshops to educate young girls on domestic violence and self-advocacy.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Just being able to help women get out of abusive situations. My daughter lost her life to domestic violence and going through bereavement helped. She left behind some journals, and after reading them, I found out new things about my daughter. It made me want to share her story with other women – especially young girls.

This past year we were able to give a $5,000 scholarship to the local Boys and Girls Club and a $1,500 scholarship for a local graduating high school senior. I’m proud to provide these opportunities and see my community grow.

What motivates you to continue?

I want to continue being my daughter’s voice and a voice for women in similar situations.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

That the mothers of daughters will take the time to hear what their daughters are saying. That no one should ever take a chance with their safety. Someone else could be in the same situation as my daughter.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

I’m just so surprised you guys are doing this.

Website: Cry Loud Speakup.com

Susan Perks supports veterans in her community through Simply Angels Veteran Outreach. Susan does anything she can to support those in need including providing meals and even raising funds to create handicap-accessible homes for veterans.

Of all the things you’ve done with Simply Angels Veteran Outreach, what are you most proud of?

I think of the ones we brought back from the edge. I am most proud of those we were able to help to find a purpose in life. Suicide rates are high among veterans.

We help them get care; we answer our phones 24-7 on our vet line. They are talking to people they have met, people who have shown them love. And I believe our services have helped so many make the decision not to take their own lives.

What motivates you to continue?

Whenever I find someone, a veteran or not, living in life-threatening situations, with no way to reach out, and no one to reach out to...it motivates me to do more.

We found a senior, a third of his normal body weight, in an infested, trash-filled home. He had been without food and water for a while. Every day we brought him food. We took cases of fresh water. For a month, we met him on the porch. After building trust he allowed me into his home. We would sit in this living room many times before I felt he was ready to be helped. We cleaned the house the best we could with no water. We sprayed for bugs on a cool day when we could sit outside.

This individual had been unhealthy for too long. We weren't able to help him thrive again on his own. But he knew love. And he constantly told everyone that came in the end, how much our group meant to him. So, I'm motivated to get to people faster. To get them the help they need. And to never let anyone pass without knowing love in their final days.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

The VA is a good organization, but people fall through the cracks. If they didn't, 42,000 veteran charities would not need to exist. People don't think about the homebound. They are out of sight, out of mind. No one follows up after they are released from service. While serving, you are around numerous people just like you. But when you get home from service and suddenly, you're alone.

Someone needed to step up, so we are trying. Not everyone homebound is an elderly male veteran, we have numerous vets under age 40. Most suffer from extreme social anxiety. Loss of limbs and disfigurement makes many withdraw. We have to find ways to get the public from being so cruel while building up their self-esteem.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

Honey, I would swim an ocean of glass shards to help one of my veterans. They aren't clients. They are beloved family members. And I hope your spotlight draws attention to what we are trying to do, to hopefully inspire others that can help, and to assist us. But most of all, to get people to refer veterans they suspect may be in need, so we can get to them before it's too late.

Website: Simply Angels Veteran Outreach

Taylor started a free and open community fridge program that has grown to 14 fridges across Richmond. Partnering with farms, restaurants, and volunteers, they battle food waste and provide healthy options to underserved communities.

Of all the things you’ve done with RVA Community Fridges, what are you most proud of?

I’m very proud that we have 14 fridges, and our partnership with Matchbox Mutual Aid. I’m proud of the community effort, in general, to get even move the fridges!

Who inspires you?

My mother inspires me, and so does the community. Without them, I could not have done this.

What motivates you to continue?

I’m motivated by the ever-growing need that I have seen. It oddly never ends, and I guess seeing the community being supported in such a way makes me want to continue it further. We have a desire to eradicate that need.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

That people can do whatever they set their hearts to. We have the ability to help one another and make a difference. It all starts with regular people like ourselves.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

Overwhelmed. I’m like WOW. I was not expecting it.

Website: RVA Community Fridges.com

A staple in the Fredericksburg community, Ted has been a champion for local organizations through his radio show, Town Talk. Ted himself is passionate about the Special Olympics and the Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach.

What do you love about hosting Town Talks?

They’ve given me so much freedom and leeway to highlight nonprofits. I’ve been at the station for 20 years. I’m proud to have a platform that highlights libraries, domestic violence shelters, and so many other nonprofits. We should be thanking the general manager, who allows me to do this day after day!

Who inspires you?

People doing great work in the community. It’s never a problem filling the show, and I’m so excited to offer them the opportunity day after day.

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing the community come together again and again to support others in their efforts.

How do you feel about being nominated and selected as a Hometown Hero?

I never ever expected this. I was shocked – I thought you were contacting me to get on the show. I was floored. I never considered myself to be a hero!

Website: B1015.com Town Talk with Ted Schubel

Wade is the founder of M3 Bridge Recovery, a spirituality-based recovery organization that provides housing and general skills training to individuals in recovery.

How did M3 Bridge to Recovery get started?

I’m a vet myself. I saw the need firsthand. I wanted to help my fellow veterans who have served their country. There is the comradery when you’re deployed - you have your community. But then you return home after your deployment, that community isn’t as readily available. The adjustment back to civilian life is hard.

Who inspires you?

The people I work with. We are all giving what we can to serve others, and seeing their dedication inspires me everyday

What motivates you to continue?

Seeing the need. There are people who want help. Taking action to serve them and seeing a change keeps me going.

What do you hope people will learn from your story?

There are people who need help. We can all do something, whether that is being called to serve others or being kind. Sometimes it’s the little moments that can mean the most to someone who is struggling.

Website: M3 Bridge Recovery.org