NRV Leading Lights Annual Report 2017-2018

Some of our 2018 winners (L-R): Christina McIntyre (who accepted the Giles award on Ann Goette’s behalf ), Taylor Hawkins, Jean Umberger, Scott & Mendy Sink, Diane Blair, Kyndal Stakes, Sydney Curtis, Catherine Pauley, & Jessica Shelburne.

Giles County: Lynn Hill Lynn Hill is a long-time board member of the Christian Mission and Hope House. She has become the backbone of the Giles Early Education Project (GEEP). She and her husband built three “Little Friendly Libraries” in distressed areas of Giles County. Montgomery County Janne Mathes Janne was a leader in founding the emergency shelter pro- gram for homeless men, “To Our House”, by serving on the NRCA policy council for 8 years. Janne is one of the founding members of the Blacksburg Refugee Partnership which brought six refugee families to the community from Syria and Afghanistan. John Galbraith John founded the NRV Glean Team. The Team coor- dinates over 200 volunteers, gleaning from 5 farms and recovering over 25,000 lbs. of fresh fruit and vegetables per year. He also coordinates an annual “potato drop” that involves 50 volunteers distributing 43,000 lbs. of potatoes to hunger relief organizations in the New River Valley. Pulaski County: Archie Booth Archie has served 63 years as a Boy Scout leader leading 60 boys to Eagle Scout rank. He volunteers each day at the Pulaski Daily Bread and has served several terms as their board President. Radford City: Penny Sweet Penny coordinates NRV’s Project Linus. She created partnerships with 30+ local agencies to supply blankets to children who have suffered loss and distress. She volunteers at Radford Elf Shelf, and is a board member of Radford Dept of Social Services, and Radford Clothing Bank. Pictured above (L-to-R):Olivia Obertello, Tom Sherman, John Gailbraith, Janne Mathes, Megan Talarek, Hunter Cole, Archie Boothe, Penny Sweet

2018 Distinguished Recipient Snapshots

High School Neha Nudait, Blacksburg High School

Neha advocates for causes such as cancer awareness, mental healthcare, and the SCA’s Thanksgiving Basket Project. Neha’s coding talent helped create a sensor that detects vitamin and mineral deficiencies in breast milk. Megan Talarek, Blacksburg High School As a volunteer at Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery, Megan has logged over 300 volunteer hours. She also served as a youth soccer coach with New River United. At Blacksburg High School, she is President of the Red Cross Club and the Help Save the Next Girl organization. Hunter attends New River Community College full-time while working at Volvo Trucks. In his “free time” he vol- unteers 1,400 hours a year as a Firefighter for the Hiwassee Fire Department and serves on the Riner Rescue Squad. Olivia Obertello, Virginia Tech Olivia is a program leader for YMCA at Virginia Tech for Margaret Beeks Cub Connections. She has volunteered at Harding Avenue and Margaret Beeks Elementary. She helps coordinate the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market and vol- unteers at The Farmacy Garden. College Hunter Cole, New River Community College

Community Floyd County: Vickie Spangler

Vickie is dedicated to Floyd County’s 4-H programs and the Farm Bureau. Vickie is the treasurer for Floyd Coun- ty Chamber of Commerce, the chair for Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee, and a board member for the Farm Bureau. She also oversaw the growth and venue relocation of the Floyd Livestock and County Fair.