Early giving open
The CFNRV team celebrates with Buzz4Good and the Lyric Theatre team members during the 2025 Giving Day.
This June, thousands of people are expected to participate in the New River Valley’s (NRV) 13th annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day. Hosted by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV), this year’s 24-hour fundraising event will kick off at noon on Wednesday, June 24, and end at noon on Thursday, June 25. The early giving period for the event begins on June 1, enabling participants to fundraise for their work in the weeks leading up to the Giving Day.
This year, 130-plus charitable organizations that serve the NRV are participating in the event. These organizations use the GiveLocalNRV website (givelocalnrv.org) for free to raise funds and awareness for their missions. Additionally, these organizations are competing for the $25,000+ in grants and prizes that the CFNRV gives away during the event. These awards are won either by meeting certain fundraising milestones or by random chance.
"The GiveLocalNRV Giving Day is about spotlighting the essential work of our region's nonprofits and how donations fuel their work," said Lindsey Gleason-Reed, the CFNRV's assistant director. "Every gift of $5 or more, combined with other gifts, helps participants ensure they can fulfill their missions each day."
The grants and prizes range from $250 to $1,500 and are provided by the CFNRV as well as generous corporate sponsors. This year, there are 40+ different awards available for participating organizations to win, which means that every donation can help an organization win extra funds.
Organizations in six localities across the NRV are participating, including 18 organizations in Floyd, seven in Giles, 70 Montgomery County organizations, 16 in Pulaski and eight in each of Radford and Wythe County. An additional 11 organizations headquartered outside of our region who provide services in the NRV are participating.
Since 2014, thousands of donors have raised $5.15 million through this event. To learn more, visit www.givelocalnrv.org. A donation of $5 or more can be made online. Participating organizations can also accept gifts of checks or cash as well as wire transfers over $1,000 for the event.
Organizations in Floyd taking part are:
Blue Mountain School, Blue Ridge Green Burial, Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd County Humane Society, Floyd Friends of Asylum Seekers, Floyd Times, Friends of Roberson Mill, Handmade Music School, June Bug Center, Mountain Valor Veteran Services, Old Church Gallery, PFLAG Floyd Va, Plenty! Farm & Food Bank, Safe Surfin' Foundation, Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Springhouse, Stay Home! And SustainFloyd Foundation
Organizations outside the New River Valley that serve the region include Brain Injury Solutions, Cardinal News, Carilion Clinic Hospice New River Valley, Depaul Community Resources, Feeding Southwest Virginia, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, People Incorporated of Virginia, Roanoke Higher Education Center Foundation, Ronald McDonald House of SW VA, Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center and Virginia Hunters Who Care.
Four graduate from recovery court
Four participants on April 28 graduated from the Floyd County Recovery Court.
Friends, families and supporters gathered to celebrate the work and commitment to recovery with a ceremony that proved recovery doesn’t happen alone.
Judge K. Mike Fleenor Jr. presided over the court and played a significant role in supporting participants throughout their recovery journeys, offering accountability, encouragement and recognition of the hard work required to achieve long-term recovery.
The recovery court program provides people with access to counseling, case management, recovery resources, employment support and encouragement.
Squash bugs feeding on a plant, resulting in leaf spotting.
Squash bugs feeding on a plant, resulting in leaf spotting.
NRCC philanthropists honored with Chancellor’s Award
Dr. H. Randall Edwards and Dr. Florine Graham have received the 20th Annual Chancellor's Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. They were nominated for the award by New River Community College (NRCC).
Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), more than two dozen individuals, families, and businesses from all 23 of Virginia's Community Colleges were honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond in April.
In his welcoming remarks, Chancellor David Doré saluted and thanked the donors for their unwavering commitment to students whose potential might otherwise go unrealized. “The individuals and organizations we honor in this room represent an extraordinary $27 million in lifetime giving to Virginia’s community colleges,” he said.
The sentiment was echoed by Secretary of Education, Jeffery Smith, who underscored the importance of philanthropy and its ability to remove barriers that could impede or even block the way forward for students short on resources. “Every Virginian deserves a pathway to economic opportunity,” he said.
In addition to Secretary Smith, distinguished guests in attendance included State Board members as well as members of the VFCCE Board of Directors. Author, philanthropist, and educator Brent L. Kendrick, Ph.D., whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching and community college education, delivered the keynote address.
NRCC president Dr. Robert Brandon reacted to Edwards’ and Graham’s support of NRCC and its students.
“The establishment of the New River Community College Educational Foundation in 1981 by President H. Randall Edwards and Dr. Florine Graham marked a visionary commitment to strengthening the college’s future through dedicated community and philanthropic support,” said Brandon. “Early efforts quickly proved successful, with the Foundation launching a charter fund drive in 1981-82 that secured $100,000 in gifts and pledges, $130,000 in liquid assets, and $300,000 in additional non-cash contributions. This early momentum demonstrated the effectiveness of Drs. Edwards’ and Graham’s leadership and their strategic approach to building strong relationships with faculty, industry partners, and community members. Furthermore, the creation of the NRCC Educational Foundation had a substantial impact on student scholarships by securing and managing funds dedicated exclusively to supporting NRCC students. We honor and thank Dr. Edwards and Dr. Graham for laying the groundwork that has strengthened and expanded the Foundation’s capacity to sustain long-term scholarship opportunities.”
