Locally, 444 people provided 91,177 hours of support to more than 40 community organizations in 2007 through the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP), an initiative run by Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging. RSVP Volunteers ranging in age from 55-90+ spend from a few hours to almost 200 hours per month at their chosen volunteer sites — schools, libraries, hospitals, health care and assisted living facilities, museums, theatre companies, and more.

In 2007, RSVP recognized Raymond Turner, above, of Chesterfi eld as RVSP Volunteer of the Year. A retired U.S. Postal Service worker, Turner volunteers with Senior Connections' Money Management Program and Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia. He serves on the Advisory Councils of both Senior Connections and RSVP. In his spare time, Turner is a soloist with the Senior Connections Choral Group, another volunteer initiative.

Women and their children are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, but the system isn't set up to deal with these most vulnerable people. The Daughters of Zelophehad, a faith-based organization, can help. At two houses in Richmond, the Daughters provide transitional housing and support services to help mothers overcome homelessness so that they can become productive workers and good parents. Here, volunteers from Philip Morris paint St. Barnabas House, where women rebuild their lives and their families, and walk a new path.

How can you fi nd a volunteer activity that suits your unique skills and schedule? Hands On Greater Richmond offers fun and fl exible ways to connect you with volunteer projects and local nonprofi t agencies. At right, volunteers Josh Poteat, Allison Titus and Hillary DeRoo recently landscaped the East District Family Resource Center in Church Hill. Hands On volunteer projects are perfect for individuals, families, community and corporate groups, and Hands On's Web site makes it easy to search and sign up for projects. "We take the work out of volunteering," says Vanessa Diamond.

In our region, hundreds of corporate executives and managers serve as company Employee Campaign Managers in the annual United Way campaign. Thanks to their efforts, our community raised $18.5 million in workplace contributions last year. Volunteers like these, from Bon Secours Richmond Health System's 2007 Campaign, plan, organize and implement effective campaign plans that deliver the message of the impact that United Way and its partner agencies have in the region. J. David Young, Campaign Director at the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, says the trick is to recruit the right person. "The best Campaign Managers approach this assignment as a growth opportunity. They are creative, detail-oriented, out-of-the-box thinkers. They're driven by results and have a genuine desire to improve their communities." Action Council and committee volunteers are involved in determining how to best invest these funds to have the greatest sustainable impact in the community.

It takes people, too. Wachovia Volunteers!, a national grassroots initiative involving employees of Wachovia and Wachovia Securities, mobilizes employees and coordinates their community service efforts.

In the Richmond area, bank and brokerage employees contributed more than 27,000 hours of volunteer community service last year to school-readiness efforts, fi nancial education programs, blood drives, charity walk-a-thons, food drives, affordable housing construction, and cultural arts activities.

Improving educational opportunities for children and adults is a key priority for Wachovia. Through Reading First®, Wachovia’s signature reading improvement program, employees in Richmond read aloud to more than 3,000 children in 173 classrooms each week. "We deeply appreciate all that our employee volunteers do to strengthen our communities," says Amy Nisenson, Vice President, Community Affairs Manager for Wachovia Bank.

Hirschler Fleischer's commitment to the community is legendary. "Since our founding 60 years ago, civic engagement has been a core value at Hirschler Fleischer," says Jim Weinberg, the fi rm's president.

Corporately, HF volunteers sort and pack donated food at the Central Virginia Foodbank and serve hot Thanksgiving meals to children enrolled in Boys & Girls Clubs afterschool programs (and to their families). Above, Ellen Purcell, Jesse Sluss, Sherie Torrey, Brian Wash, Anne Battle and Larry Clark are among those who recently participated in Rebuilding Richmond Together. Individual attorneys like Jim Cluverius serve on the boards of such groups as the Boys & Girls Clubs. Others work pro bono with organizations like Ayuda, Inc. to help unaccompanied minors with legal issues avoid deportation. It's all part of the HF Law's concentration on relationship building — with clients, with colleagues, and with the community.

Genworth employees have a long history of volunteering in the community as mentors to at-risk youth, builders of homes for lowincome families and more. A new effort, the Skills- Based Volunteer Program, is proving to be a win-win for employees and nonprofi ts alike. Volunteers develop existing leadership and technical skills when they are matched with non-profi ts in need of marketing, accounting, fi nancial and planning assistance. Above, Genworth employees Devna Webster, Gia Owens, Garway Bright and Hanson Mabry work with William Byrd Community House. "By helping William Byrd Community House with some of their internal processes, we're ensuring that William Byrd can continue transforming lives," says Theresa Moore, director of operations training and talent development. Following a successful pilot in Richmond, Genworth will expand the Skills-Based Volunteer Program to Genworth communities like Lynchburg and Shannon, Ireland.

The Richmond Animal League, the oldest no-kill pet shelter in Chesterfield County, relies upon contributions to fund its work and 300 volunteers to do just about everything else: feeding the dogs and cats in their care, medicating them as necessary, and cleaning their quarters. Of course, volunteers also get to play with the animals, too. "We give them lots of love and attention!" says Lorie Roberts, above, a 10-year veteran volunteer. RAL volunteers also work toward fi nding good homes for their charges. Dogs are given a safety assessment test to measure their level of aggression. "That helps potential adopters know what they're getting into." Selected volunteers are trained to offer "Meet Your Match" to potential adopters. The test gauges a potential adopter's energy levels, sociability needs and other personality traits so that an appropriate match can be made with an RAL pet.

Volunteers are also hard at work organizing "Woofstock," a festival for pets and their human families, at Innsbrook on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"Volunteers play a tremendous role at Meals on Wheels. They're what make us go," says Kristin Stokes, development manager. On any given day, 165 volunteers deliver hot lunches and cold suppers across 79 routes in greater Richmond, the Tri-Cities, Goochland, and Powhatan, covering 300,000 miles annually. It's a diverse group, including children riding along with their parents, older students, corporate manager and retirees. Their work was valued at $1.5 million during 2007.

Stokes says Meals on Wheels isn't just about nourishing food for homebound clients. It's also about peace of mind.

"Meals on Wheels delivers comprehensive care," says Stokes. If a client doesn't respond when a volunteer calls, staff members go into action. Did the client have other plans? Did he mean to cancel the day's delivery? Is she hurt? Is he ill? Or did she simply forget? A grateful client sums up the importance of Meals and Wheels and the efforts of its volunteers. "Before you took me under your wings I sometimes forgot to eat."

The warehouse at the Central Virginia Foodbank handles nearly 50,000 pounds of food a day — and there are only four warehouse workers on staff. They're helped by some 3,000 volunteers who sort food and move it to the distribution center, when CVFB's 500 network partners receive the groceries they need to feed 101,000 people each month. Other volunteers run the referral hot line, helping people who are hungry fi nd help, and still others work in the kitchen, making hot meals for Kids Cafés and Meals on Wheels around Richmond. "We could not do what we do without them," says Patricia Morris, Chief Development Offi cer for the Foodbank.

The Children's Museum of Richmond welcomes volunteers of all ages! The museum's volunteer corps includes children as young as fi ve (accompanied by their parents), retired professionals in their 80's, and everybody in between. Diverse as they may be, they all share the museum's mission: to inspire the potential in every child.

Volunteers like Alexis Merriman, above right, pictured with a young visitor, play a vital role at the museum, which welcomes more than 228,000 visitors annually. The energy and dedication of hundreds of hard working volunteers is behind the success of special events like Kids' Carniball and Halloween Hoopla and many of the museum's popular programs like summer camps.

Volunteer coordinator Alison Jones-Nassar appreciates the efforts of the museum's volunteers. "We would not be able to open our doors without the involvement and support of our volunteers."

For the past 15 years, C&F Bank has been making Christmas merrier for Central Virginia's disadvantaged children. Fifteen separate agencies select children whose Christmas needs a little extra help. Contributions toward the "Santa Tree" by bank patrons take care of most of the children's wishes. But there are always some left over. That's where C&F volunteers take over.

Customer contributions, along with the bank's own gift, give volunteers a budget of up to $150 per child. On a Friday before Christmas, marketing personnel, along with other employees, volunteer to go power-shopping. Their purchases are collected at the bank's Toano facility, where other volunteers wrap each gift. The wrapped gifts fi ll two vans, and agencies make sure the children get their gifts in time for the holiday.

It's an arduous task, but it's worth it, says Maureen Medlin, C&F Bank's Director of Marketing. "It brings joy to so many," she says. Last year, the Santa Tree project helped 325 youngsters.

As many as 100 people in the Richmond area are waiting for wheelchair ramps so that they can leave their homes to keep medical appointments, attend religious services and run errands. The wait is diffi cult for individuals, caregivers and family members alike. Thanks to three Collegiate High School teens determined to make a positive difference, that wait is over. In 2005, Coleman Wortham, Mike Dowd and Gray Fain, then juniors, started Ramp Access Made Possible by Students. R.A.M.P.S.' goal is to pay for and assemble wheelchair ramps for elderly and disabled wheelchair users who have limited fi nancial resources. Each ramp costs an average of $2,500. Students raise $600 for each ramp; contributions make up the difference.

To date, more than fi fty ramps have been donated and built by R.A.M.P.S. with the help of the business and foundation communities. And the program has grown: three R.A.M.P.S. chapters are currently in formation in three mid-Atlantic colleges.

Customer contributions, along with the bank's own gift, give volunteers a budget of up to $150 per child. On a Friday before Christmas, marketing personnel, along with other employees, volunteer to go power-shopping. Their purchases are collected at the bank's Toano facility, where other volunteers wrap each gift. The wrapped gifts fi ll two vans, and agencies make sure the children get their gifts in time for the holiday.

It's an arduous task, but it's worth it, says Maureen Medlin, C&F Bank's Director of Marketing. "It brings joy to so many," she says. Last year, the Santa Tree project helped 325 youngsters.

Volunteers play an important role in the operations of the Henrico Police. The force's chaplains are volunteers. Young men and women in the force's Explorer Post broaden their career horizons while performing community service; Explorers volunteer at community events, handing out programs, fi ngerprinting children, and bringing McGruff the Crime Dog to life. Motorists Assistants work in pairs, patrolling county roads and highways, where they direct traffi c as needed and help those who break down. More importantly, says Cathy Campbell, volunteer coordinator for Henrico County Police, Motorists Assistants like Roger McNeal, above, free up offi cers to do the jobs that only they can do.

Volunteers play an important role in the operations of the Henrico Police. The force's chaplains are volunteers. Young men and women in the force's Explorer Post broaden their career horizons while performing community service; Explorers volunteer at community events, handing out programs, fi ngerprinting children, and bringing McGruff the Crime Dog to life. Motorists Assistants work in pairs, patrolling county roads and highways, where they direct traffi c as needed and help those who break down. More importantly, says Cathy Campbell, volunteer coordinator for Henrico County Police, Motorists Assistants like Roger McNeal, above, free up offi cers to do the jobs that only they can do.

Ukrop's is more than Richmond's favorite grocery store. It's also a committed supporter of the community: Ukrop's gives at least 10% of its pre-tax profi ts to the area's charities, and Ukrop's workforce of 5,600 gives generously of its time. For the past 15 years, the Ukrop's Christmas Parade, staffed in part by Ukrop's volunteers, has been the highlight of the holiday season.

Dominion's concern for the environment is refl ected in both its grant and volunteer programs. The Dominion Foundation awards small grants to non-profi ts involved in environmental projects. Then, they send in 40 or more Dominion volunteers to get the work done. "You're going to get a whole year's worth of work done in one day," says Cindy Balderson, Volunteer Program Coordinator.

In the past seven years, Dominion volunteers have refurbished 122 parks throughout its service region and the foundation has given more than $300,000 toward that effort.

Above, Sally Wetzler and a group of Dominion volunteers recently installed boundary markers in the James River Park system. Other volunteer-led projects included building a fence at Reedy Creek Recycling Center and refurbishing the Historic Pumphouse. "Whether it's clearing a trail, building a wheelchair accessible pier, or creating nesting platforms for osprey, Dominion volunteers are dedicated to serving our communities and improving our environment."

GRAVA — the Greater Richmond Association for Volunteer Administration — is a membership organization of almost 70 people whose primary responsibility is to manage volunteer involvement in a wide variety of settings. GRAVA promotes professionalism in volunteer administration, offers educational opportunities for members, provides a forum for information exchange, provides networking opportunities among members, increases awareness and communication among organizations utilizing volunteers, and broadens community awareness of volunteerism. Volunteer managers recruit, train, orient and support volunteers for a broad array of non-profi ts in the health, education, social service, and cultural fi elds.

Ron Stilwell, associate director of CARITAS, was named GRAVA's Volunteer Administrator of the Year in 2007. He says, "I am thankful for the opportunities for professional development and grateful for the growing network of peer support through my involvement with GRAVA over the last fi ve years."

Above, a volunteer and a young CARITAS guest enjoy a giggle together.

The Junior League develops the potential of women for civic leadership. In the Richmond area, over 1,200 women from diverse backgrounds — 75% of whom work outside the home — are honing their leadership skills while simultaneously serving the community. Above, Julie Weissend, president of the Junior League of Richmond in 2006, leads a training session.

Jane V. Helfrich, Executive Director, is excited about the League's new Community Response Team approach. Graduates of the League's Training Institute for Leadership Impact, paired with professional development consultants, have been matched with the Southside Child Development Center. Thanks to the League's support, the team will spend three years at the Center, helping to stabilize the organization's fi nances and broaden its support base.

Helfrich expects the pilot program to expand in the very near future to serve other organizations whose missions parallel the League's focus areas: children, youth and families, education and literacy, and violence prevention.

"Women building better communities through education and empowerment," she says. "That's what the Junior League is all about."

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, and provides members with opportunities for service and advocacy. In 1990, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. joined forces with Big Brother Big Sisters Services on the national level. Locally, brothers from the Beta Gamma Chapter of APHIA volunteer to mentor young boys in Petersburg, giving them positive African-American adult role models.

Why do they do it? Timothy James, a senior at Virginia State University and chaplain/recording secretary for Beta Gamma, gives one answer. "We were founded to help the community make a difference."

Isiah (above left) attends the Weed & Seed after school program in Petersburg. He spends an hour each week with Big Brother Brandon Benjamin of Beta Gamma. Sometimes Brandon teaches Isiah to step. Sometimes they shoot hoops. Even doing homework is more fun when Big Brother Brandon is around to help.

Finance Park™ is an award-winning program featuring intensive in-classroom fi nancial education lessons developed by Junior Achievement. Students then get to put their newly learned money management skills to the test in a high-tech learning lab, Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park™ — a mock city where students can experience fi rsthand the challenges of making real-life fi nancial decisions. Once inside Finance Park™, students are assigned fi ctional jobs, incomes, families and expenses and are then expected to develop and stick to appropriate budgets. They face real-life decisions about housing, furnishings, investments, food, entertainment, phone, cable, saving and charitable contributions — all of the decisions they will ultimately make upon entering adulthood. The winners are those kids who end up with a positive fi nancial balance at the end of the day. Last year, 175 volunteers from Capital One guided 800 metro Richmond public schoolers through Finance Park™.

Max's Positive Vibe Café in Stratford Hills is more than a great restaurant. Behind the scenes, people with cognitive or physical disabilities are learning the skills that will prepare them for meaningful employment in the food service industry. Since opening in 2005, the Café has graduated over 165 people with disabilities, most of whom are currently employed — some for the fi rst time in their lives. Please tip generously. Like Carolyn Carper, above, your server is one of a score of volunteers — students, retirees, parents of trainees and graduates, and other — who make up the Café's unpaid serving staff. Why do they do it?

"There's an opportunity to have a hands-on experience at the cafe and the ability to work closely with the people we train and employ," says Executive Director Garth Larcen. "And it doesn't hurt that they can enjoy a delicious meal for their efforts."

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield held its fi rst annual "Community Service Day" on April 26. Volunteer projects were held in 14 states across the country. In Richmond, Anthem volunteers concentrated on fi ve projects. Volunteers assisted with the ASK Fun Walk & 5K, benefi ting childhood cancer. They made site improvements at the Fan Free Clinic, and at the Southside Child Development Center. They held a "Fun and Fit Day" at the Boys & Girls Club on Kensington Avenue; children from regional clubs were bused in for the event. On Sunday, April 27, Anthem volunteers assisted with the March of Dimes' "Walk for Babies." All told, says Joy M. Bechtold, Community Relations Coordinator for Anthem, nearly 300 Richmond associates, including Gib Palmer, Hudson Moore, and Terry Davis (above) volunteered during Community Service Day.

James H. Whiting was chairman of Historic Richmond Foundation when HRF acquired the National Theater in 1991. Immediately, he rolled up his sleeves set to work. Whiting — the University of Virginia's fi rst fi ne arts graduate — handpainted walls, balconies and seat boxes, refi nished decorative plaster work, gilded and sealed the Wedgwood-like ornamentation, and restored the woodwork. All told, Whiting spent 15 years on the National Theater project while simultaneously working on the Monumental Church, HRF's National Historic Landmark Building on Broad Street. Whiting's additional volunteer responsibilities include terms of service on the boards of the Richmond Public Library, the Citizens Advisory Council of the Governor's Mansion, and the Capital Square Preservation Council.

Whiting's motivation? "My reward is seeing a rehab work and building put back to use."

HRF recently honored Jim Whiting, pictured here with his wife, Barbara Thalhimer, for his dedication, vision and commitment to the National Theater.

The Student Liaison Outreach Team (SLOT) is a volunteer based organization that works to bridge the gap between the Petersburg community and Virginia State University. Just over two years old, SLOT now boasts of a membership for more than 40 young people, ages 18-23. SLOT volunteers help out with Special Olympics, accompanying mentally challenged athletes as they compete and participate. The group is working toward creating a partnership with Ettrick Elementary School, where volunteers will become "lunch buddies." Some SLOT members mentor young children, others help with the campus ministry at VSU, and still others volunteer throughout the Tri-Cities area. Crystal Boyd, SLOT Board member, says, "We do community service not because we have to, but because we want to."

Owens & Minor, the Mechanicsville-based medical equipment and supplies distributor, is committed to the wellbeing of its teammates and the communities in which they live. That's why Owens & Minor supports its teammates' volunteer efforts both fi nancially and administratively. Hugh F. Gouldthorpe, Jr., "head cheerleader" and senior vice president of quality and communications, and 12-15 teammates from all levels of the company meet regularly to organize volunteer efforts. Often, they choose to support groups like Special Olympics, Children's Miracle Network, or the YMCA's "Bright Beginnings" program — charities that serve, primarily, children. "Kids — they're our future," says Gouldthorpe. Owens & Minor teammates also support Rebuilding Together Richmond and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Above, teammate Lois Hill washes eggs for the Central Virginia Foodbank. Gouldthorpe salutes the achievements of Owens & Minor's 500 Richmond-area volunteers. "Our people do a great job," he says, with obvious pride.

Volunteering at Maymont is a Richmond tradition. It's not unusual to fi nd two and three generations of the same family volunteering at Maymont. Volunteers provide Maymont with the equivalent of 11 full-time staff members each year. Long-term volunteer Bill Long (right, pictured with Maura Pond) remembers visiting Maymont when it fi rst opened in 1926. Bill put his arts and sculpture background to good use at Maymont. When the knocker at Maymont House Museum was stolen in the 1980s, Bill created its replacement. Look for it on the front door of Maymont House on your next visit.

It helps to have a wagging tail and friendly smile. But sometimes it takes a little bit more than that to fi nd a "forever home." That's where the "Green Team" comes in. Of the Richmond SPCA's 379 active volunteers, about 20 are part of the Green Team. Team members who are interested in animal behavior receive eight hours of instruction in training and behavior modifi cation techniques via Pet University classes. At the completion of their training, "Greenies" are assigned to work with cats and dogs who have special needs — puppies that lack socialization, dogs that are shy, pets that must learn basic manners. At left, Megan Rollins works with Piper, a pit bull mix with separation anxiety issues, rubbing her belly and helping her learn to relax. Megan did a good job, says Sarah Babcock, Chief of Education and Training at the Richmond SPCA. "Piper just got adopted!"

Richmond's fi rst Affordable Housing Awareness Week was held earlier this month. For fi ve days, volunteer Realtors, congregants, students, bankers, utility workers and others focused awareness of what affordable housing means, why it's important, and who it serves. Throughout the Richmond area, volunteers like these, above, from Circuit City, picked up hammers and nails, paintbrushes and shovels for ElderHomes, Habitat for Humanity, Better Housing Coalition, Virginia Supportive Housing, Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation, and other groups, under the umbrella of the Richmond Association of Realtors.

Laura Lafayette, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at RAR, called the effort a success. "The outpouring of support for this effort has been amazing. We're tremendously grateful to all of the companies and individuals who made Affordable Housing Awareness Week such a tremendous success."

The International Hospital for Children coordinates the efforts of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who volunteer their services on diagnostic and surgical mission trips to IHC's six partner countries in the Eastern Caribbean.

Sometimes children (and their families) need to come to Richmond for specialized treatment. That's when IHC's on-the-ground volunteers swing into action. Volunteers act as liaisons between IHC and patient families. They pick up patients and their families at the airport, drive them to area hospitals for medical treatments, and take them on fun outings between treatments. Because IHC brings both English- and Spanish-speaking families to Richmond, there's a special need for volunteers who can speak both languages.

At right, IHC volunteer Jason, a Richmond area high school student, and IHC patient Irma enjoy an afternoon at the Children's Museum of Richmond.

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fi res (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, fl oods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and manmade disasters. Help takes a variety of forms. Red Cross disaster relief helps affected people meet their most immediate needs for shelter, food, health and mental health services. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and coordinates resources.

Locally, the American Red Cross of Greater Richmond responded to 267 disasters last year. Pictured above are members of Richmond's Disaster Action Team #1. Sana Khalid, Volunteer Manager, helps volunteers Bilal Aslam and Robin Gallagher understand how to help victims of a house fi re begin the process of rebuilding their lives.