NRV Leading Lights

The events of April 16, 2007 demonstrated the extraordi- nary compassion of ordinary citizens who united in the service of others. In 2008, the Virginia Tech German Club Alumni Foundation teamed up with area non-profit organi- zations to create the “Leading Lights: Shining a light on neighbors helping neighbors” awards, in recognition of ordinary citizens throughout the New River Valley who give of themselves to continually improve our community. NRV Leading Lights Story

Nominations Deadline: March 4, 2019 Leading Lights Awards Gala, April 11, 2019

Leading Light New River Valley Recipient Contributions

Leading Lights Nominees have and do serve a broad variety of volunteer and ser- vice organizations doing such volunteer work as:  Mentoring children & youth;  Planting and gleaning com- munity gardens;  Stocking and distributing food from local community food pantries;  Serving on volunteer rescue & fire squads;  Caring for & adopting out animals at local animal shelters;  Driving the elderly & disabled to medical appointments or taking hot meals to their homes;  Providing abused wom- en & children with shelter and services;  Teaching our youth to care for our environment;  Providing shelter and ser- vices to single homeless men;  Running clothing banks & thrift stores designed to help families become more self- sufficient;  Teaching & leading our youth about agriculture & farming; The list is long…. .

Janne Mathes, 2018 Montgomery County Community Distinguished Recipient

Distinguished Recipients * 7 Community (1 Lifetime Achievement, 1 each for Floyd, Giles, Pulaski counties, & City of Radford, 2 for Mont. Co.) * 2 College Recipients * 2 High School Recipients

Hunter Cole, 2018 College Distinguished Recipient

Frank Shushok, Sr. Assoc. VP of Student Affairs VT, Event Guest Speaker “ If you serve others, your life will be extraordinary”.

2009—2018 Leading Light Distinguished Recipients

College Analise Adams (Virginia Tech) Kelly Berry (Virginia Tech) Ryan Brock (Virginia Tech) Hunter Cole (NRCC) Stephanie Connelly (VA Tech) Sydney Curtis (VA Tech) Elizabeth Domann (VA Tech) Chelsea Hall (Virginia Tech) Matthew Johnson (VATech) Austin Larrowe (Virginia Tech) Olivia Obertello (Viginia Tech) Victoria Sarbin (Radford Univ.) Kyndal Stakes (Virginia Tech) High School Laura Froggard (Blacksburg) Taylor Hawkins (Floyd) Olivia Hodge (Blacksburg) Neha Hudait (Blacksburg) Anna Marie Keppel-Benson (Blacksburg) Aaron Miller (Radford) Connor Moran (Christiansburg) Jessica Shelburne (Auburn) Rebecca Kay Stephens (Giles) Marie Stump (Christiansburg) Megan Talarek (Blacksburg) Jessica Vance (Blacksburg)

Dick Arnold pictured with Megan Talarek, 2018 High School Leading Light.

Pictured Below: 2018 College Leading Lights

2009—2018 Leading Light Distinguished Recipients

Community Phyllis Albritton (Blacksburg) Dave & Merilyn Armstrong (Dublin) Pat Ballard (Christiansburg) Diane Blair (Pulaski Co.) Archie Boothe (Pulaski Co.) Barnett Carr (Mont. Co.) Ben Crawford (Mont. Co.) Karen Cronin (Shawsville) Todd Fitch (Christiansburg) John Gailbraith (Mont. Co.) Colonel John H. Getgood (Floyd) Ann Goette (Giles Co.) Doris Hendrickson (Radford) Mary Ann Hinshelwood (Christiansburg) Jerry Higgins (Radford) Lynn Hill (Giles Co.) Bill & Nancy Hudson (Pulaski Co.) Susan Icove (Floyd) Dr. Steve Jacobs (Blacksburg) Doug & Donna Martin (Giles Co.) Janne Mathes (Mont. Co.) Molly McClintock (Christiansburg) John McEnhill (Floyd) Don Mullins (Montgomery Co.) Keith Nunn (Radford) Dr. Nelda Pearson (Radford) Catherine Vaughn Pauley (Floyd) Rebecca Rees (Blacksburg) Fran Rooker (Radford) Kim Schwenk (Blacksburg) Scott & Mendy Sink (Mont. Co.) Vickie Spangler (Floyd Co.) Dr. George Robert Smith (Shawsville) Susan Sutterer (Floyd) Penny Sweet (Radford) Melvin Robertson (Mont. Co.) Jean Umberger (Radford) Rader Vaden (Blacksburg) Mary Susan Vehorn (Radford) Margie Vitale (Christiansburg) Lindsay West (Blacksburg)

Above: Penny Sweet, 2018 Radford Dis- tinguished Recipient; Below, Archie Boothe, 2018 Pulaski Co. Distinguished Recipient

Know a Dedicated Volunteer in the New River Valley? Nominate them! High School, College, Community & Lifetime Achievement

Leading Lights Award Nomination Criteria Nominees should be a high school student, college student, or community member in the New River Valley who:  Devotes a significant amount of available time to community involvement;  Demonstrates dedicated, continuous, long-term involvement in service to the community as part of his/her lifestyle;  Is a proven leader; and  Exhibits creativity in initiating and implementing projects that lead to a better quality of life. Submit your nomination ONLINE TODAY at www.leadinglightsnrv.org Nominations due by March 4, 2019 All nominees acknowledged and honored at the NRV Leading Lights Banquet on April 11, 2019 Pictured above are a few of the past Leading Lights Award Winners, L-to-R ; Com- munity: Bill and Nancy Hudson of Pulaski County; Melvin Robertson of Montgom- ery County, and High School: Aaron Miller of Radford City High School. They are pictured with Leading Lights President, Dick Arnold (R) and Nominations Chair Rev. Bill King (L).

Leading Lights Sponsorship Opportunities

Bright Light Sponsor: up to $99 Your name (company or individual) listed in the banquet brochure given to every attendee and the media: name acknowledged on the Leading Lights website: www.leadinglightsnrv.org Strobe Light Sponsor $100-$249 Bright Light benefits and you will receive a copy of this program fol- lowing the banquet; you may display organizational information/ materials at the banquet. Spot Light Sponsor $250-$499 Strobe Light benefits plus two seats to the banquet; at least one nominee seated at your table; and a framed recognition certificate suitable for display at your business or home. Flood Light Sponsor $500-$999 Spot Light benefits plus two additional seats for a total of four (4); and Special Recognition at the banquet. Leading Light Sponsor $1000 or more Flood Light benefits plus four (4) additional banquet seats for a total of eight (8), name on a large display board at the banquet, and a reserved parking place in the front Name: _______________________________________ __ (Print name as you want it to appear on printed materials) Address: _________________________________________ ________________________________________ _ ___ ___ Phone: ______________ ______________ _________ ____ Email: _____________________ _ _____ Level of Sponsorship (see above): __________ ___ _____ Donation amount: ___________________ ________ Make checks payable to: VT German Club Alumni Foundation Memo line: NRV Leading Lights Mail to: 711 Southgate Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060 lot of the German Club Manor for the event. If you want to be a Leading Lights sponsor, complete the form below or email Dick Arnold, President at dick.arnold34@gmail.com.