Improvisational comics Brad Sherwood (left) and Colin Mochrie from the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? flank Zach Cooley after their Sept. 18 return to Paramount Bristol.
Improvisational comics Brad Sherwood (left) and Colin Mochrie from the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? flank Zach Cooley after their Sept. 18 return to Paramount Bristol.
More than 20 high school bands were scheduled to compete in Saturday’s Chilhowie Apple Festival Marching Band Competition, including Wythe County’s Fort Chiswell, George Wythe, and Rural Retreat. Nine bands from throughout the region, including Rural Retreat, took part in festival’s grand parade that sun-filled autumn morning. Please enjoy these photos from the parade.
George Wythe defenders make a tackle in a game earlier this season.
George Wythe defenders make a tackle in a game earlier this season.
Two related organizations that are working to help senior citizens live safely and well were awarded the necessary grant funding to continue those efforts.
According to the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, the TRIAD chapters in Smyth and Wythe counties received $2,500 each to continue their educational campaigns.
Statewide, TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
In Smyth County, the program is a partnership of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s and Sheriff’s offices, Chilhowie Baptist Church, District Three, and the Attorney General's Office.
Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins expressed his gratitude for the funding.
“We plan to use the $2,500 grant funding to provide hot meals for the seniors who attend our quarterly briefings. Offering a hot meal helps make the events more accessible and welcoming and gives us an opportunity to bring seniors together while connecting them with law enforcement, community partners, and valuable resources,” said Blevins.
The money will be used similarly in Wythe County, where Sheriff’s Office Captain Brian Vaught said they also provide lunch for the seniors who attend as well as educational handouts.
“Most of the materials we provide cover scams, estate planning, and other services that seniors need to be aware of,” Vaught said.
The next Wythe County TRIAD meeting will take place on Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Wytheville Meeting Center.
The programs for next year in Wythe are still being developed.
In Smyth, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center with a focus on Heat Smart & Food Security Information. Information will be presented by the American Red Cross, Chilhowie Fire Department, and the Department of Social Services.
Next year, Smyth’s TRIAD chapter will host a session on avoiding online love and phishing scams on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center. The information will be presented by the Virginia State Police.
On May 27, 2027, at noon in the Chilhowie Town Park, during Older American’s Day, the Smyth chapter will host a session on Protecting Your Legacy, including information on Virginia Deed Alert and Advanced Medical Directives.
Then, on Aug. 24, 2027, at noon, a meeting will focus on not falling for fraud and avoiding unlicensed contractors at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center.
Smyth and Wythe were among 30 TRIAD chapters that were awarded similar grants.
“Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I’m proud of each of the grantees… and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, TRIAD grant funds go to support critical community-level efforts administered by local TRIAD chapters, including Scam & Financial Fraud, Emergency Preparedness Resources, Community Safety Conferences, and Specialized Outreach Programs.
“These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we’re here to support them. This year’s grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General’s commitment to TRIAD and Virginia’s senior,” said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator.“ The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are.”
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
The Wythe-Bland Foundation has awarded $3,353,100 in Fiscal Year 2027 funding to 33 nonprofit organizations providing 53 projects serving Wythe and Bland Counties. The investments support initiatives addressing healthcare access, education, food security, mental health, youth development, family services, recreation, arts and culture, and other community needs.
The grants represent the Foundation’s continued commitment to investing in organizations and programs that strengthen the communities they serve. Since its founding in 2005, the Foundation has invested more than $54 million in local initiatives, advancing its mission to provide opportunities for collaboration and innovation to promote a healthier community.
“Each year, we are encouraged by the breadth of work being carried out by nonprofit organizations across Wythe and Bland Counties,” said Travis Jackson, Executive Director/CEO of the Wythe-Bland Foundation. “These grants allow us to partner with organizations that are addressing important community needs and creating meaningful opportunities for residents.”
Investing in Health and Access to Care
Healthcare continues to be a significant area of investment for the Foundation. Grant funding will support Bland Ministry Center’s Big Walker Dentistry and Brushy Mountain Dentistry, as well as Brock Hughes Medical Center’s Health Care Services, Pharmacy Services, and Medical Transportation Program. Bland County Medical Clinic will use its funding for Access to Care: Labs & Lifesaving Diabetes Supplies, while RxPartnership will support Medication Access for the Uninsured at Brock Hughes Medical Center.
Additional health-focused investments include Appalachian Memory & Aging Initiative’s On the Road to Better Brain Health, Claude Moore Opportunities’ Youth Mental Health Initiative, Wythe County Breast Cancer Coalition’s Ladies’ Night Out Breast Cancer Awareness Event, and Wytheville Lion’s Club’s Hearing Screenings & Hearing Aids and Eye Exams & Glasses. The Town of Wytheville’s Fit for Life Wellness Program and Wellness Center Pass Plan Scholarships will also receive Foundation support.
Creating Opportunities for Children and Students
Education and youth development are another major focus of the Foundation’s Fiscal Year 2027 investments. Bland County Public Schools QUILL Foundation will receive funding for Community Stories, Bland County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Bland County Junior Appalachian Musicians, Bland County High School Sci-Tec Academy, STEM-UP Program, and Teacher Educational Enhancement Grants.
In Wythe County, the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence will receive support for its Afterschool Program, Classroom Grants, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Jumpstart Your Future, and K Camp and Pre-K Kits. Additional educational investments include Bland County Extension’s 4-H Youth Development and One-on-One Literacy of Wythe & Grayson Counties’ Socially Skilled Children program.
The Foundation is also continuing its investment in higher education and the development of future professionals. Wytheville Community College will receive funding for its Scholarship Program, while Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine will receive support for its Physician Scholarship Program.
Supporting Families and Food Security
Several funded projects will help local organizations provide basic resources and support to individuals and families. Open Door Community will receive funding for Food Security – Open Door Café, Food Security – HOPE Packs, and the Nourishing Neighbors Program, as well as Local Financial Capacity – Non-profit and Small Business Bookkeeping.
Additional food security investments include Feeding SWVA’s Mobile Marketplace and Mobile Food Pantry Programs, Austinville Pentecostal Holiness Church Food Pantry’s Ongoing Operation of the Austinville PH Food Pantry, and Blessings Wythe Love’s Katie’s Dream House – Food Blessing Boxes. The Society of St. Andrew will use its funding for the Virginia Gleaning Network, while “Seed Peace” – Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers will support the FarmStrong Health & Wellness Program – Wythe-Bland County Initiative.
The Foundation is also supporting programs designed to strengthen families and respond to critical community needs. The Family Resource Center will receive funding for Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis, Advocacy, Counseling and Support Services. Virginia Kids Belong will support Wythe Foster Friendly Community Designation and CarePortal Fees, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace will continue its No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town! VA-Wythe Co. initiative.
Strengthening Community Life
Foundation investments extend beyond direct services to include projects that enhance community spaces, recreation, arts, culture, and nonprofit capacity.
The Bland County Farmers Market & Night Market will receive funding for its Enhancement Project, while the Bland County Bland Park Splash Pad and Town of Rural Retreat’s Heritage Park Pickle Ball Courts will support local recreational opportunities. Wytheville Farmers Market will receive funding for Wytheville Farmers Market Operations, and Wythe County Parks & Recreation will implement the Wythe County AED Access Initiative. The Town of Wytheville – Department of Museums will use its award for Homestead Smokehouse Restoration.
Arts and cultural initiatives receiving support include Millwald Theatre’s Arts for All, The Red Stag Foundation for the Arts’ Amplify the Arts and Broadway Bound, and Wytheville Training School Cultural Center’s Power of Community – Phase III and Rock Dale Roof projects.
The Foundation is also investing in organizations that strengthen the local nonprofit infrastructure. The Community Foundation of Wythe & Bland Counties will receive support for Supporting and Strengthening the Operations and Growth of the Community Foundation of Wythe and Bland Counties, helping build organizational capacity and support the continued growth of the local philanthropic community.
A Community-Wide Investment
Taken together, the Fiscal Year 2027 grants demonstrate the breadth of work nonprofit organizations undertake throughout Wythe and Bland Counties. From expanding healthcare access and creating educational opportunities to supporting families, strengthening food security, promoting wellness, and enhancing community spaces, the funded projects address a diverse range of needs identified within the communities the Foundation serves.
“The strength of these communities comes from the organizations, volunteers, and community partners who continue to identify needs and develop solutions,” Jackson said. “We are proud to support their work and look forward to seeing the impact of these investments throughout the coming year.”
The Wythe-Bland Foundation encourages eligible nonprofit organizations providing services in health, education, or wellness in Wythe and Bland Counties to learn more about future funding opportunities. The next application deadline is August 2, 2027. Additional information about eligibility and application timelines is available at www.wbfoundation.com.
