It has been estimated that only 5% of the Richmond area residents shop regularly at a farmers market.  “Many markets I have visited across the Richmond region are doing well, yet they still need assistance to inform the community about the uniqueness and value of these venues. Not only do markets provide a place to buy healthy, local food in a fun social setting, but they provide an important outlet for local farmers to connect directly with customers,” explains Patrick.

Photo source: Richmond Times Dispatch

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, “Farmers’ market managers are dedicated to strengthening farmers’ markets in Virginia by fostering appreciation for agriculture, creating a vibrant community center and allowing independently owned family businesses to thrive. Market managers wear several hats including educators, financial managers, human resource specialists, marketing coordinators and event organizers.  At the core of each market manager is a shared passion to serve farmers, consumers and their community.”

Patrick has collaborated with the nonprofit FeedRVA to bring an increased awareness to farmers markets everywhere and to raise money for nonprofits like FeedRVA. FeedRVA is a nonprofit organization formed to facilitate the education of communities in the Richmond region on the importance of food systems, healthy/lifelong nutritional habits, and accessibility to quality food.

Patrick will bike across the Commonwealth of Virginia during farmers market week August 4-10, and promote the ride at seven markets along the way. “My goal is to raise money through our website. People can pledge per mile or make a flat donation; my goal is to raise $10,000 this year,” Patrick says.

Monies raised from the ride will be used to support nonprofits that support dollar matching programs for SNAP, which is a food assistance program for designated income levels. Matching dollar programs for SNAP participants benefit farmers markets in two ways.

1. First, it allows an individual to have access to local and healthy food they would otherwise be unable to purchase.
2. Secondly, it puts more money into local farmers pockets.

This program not only supports the hardworking farmer, but hopes to turn the tide of unhealthy eating choices which leads to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and a host of other ailments.

“I am riding my bike 500 miles across the state because I believe in this program.  If you share these goals, please partner with me. Any donation – no matter how large or small – will help our cause.  Your name, which will appear on our list of contributors, will encourage others to offer their support,” encourages Patrick.

Click here to learn more and support Patrick in his journey. And be sure to stop by your local farmers market during Virginia Farmers Market Week, August 4-10, 2013.

Catherine Hopkins of Amelia County has taken steps to help the family, and now we can help too. She has set up a fund to cover funeral expenses for Brendon. She has already raised quite a bit of money, but donations are still being accepted over the next couple of days. ALL of the money goes directly to the family. (You can read more about her story in Sunday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch in section/page B2).

The website she set up explains:

Brendon Mackey was critically injured in the Boathouse parking lot on the way to watch Fireworks in Brandermill in Chesterfield County on Thursday July 4th. A stray bullet that came from an unknown origin struck the seven year old in the head. He was immediately taken to VCU Medical Center. Sadly, he passed away today. I have started this fund to help a family in need. Please consider helping them in any amount you can. Fireworks on the Swift Creek Reservoir have been a tradition for so many families in the area for so many years. It has always been a safe place to go as a family. Try and imagine what this family is going through and how completely unexpected all of this is. All funds raised will be given to the family to offset funeral costs…which no family expects to have to face after a simple night of making family memories. God bless you all and I hope you will help this family, even if it is just your lunch money. Please pass this on and let’s see if we can’t take the expense away completely for them.

Richmond moms and dads, along with grandparents, singles, and others, are all deeply saddened by this loss of such a young child. But now we can do something to let the family know we are thinking of them. Whether it’s a $5 donation, or a $500 donation, the amount doesn’t matter. It’s reaching out as concerned parents and individuals who care that means the most.

Source: www.vcubroadstreetmile.com

Richmond’s newest festival is gearing up for September – and it’s going to include running, walking, food, music, and lots of fun.

The VCU Broad Street Mile combines a Fun Run + Festival and is scheduled for September 28, 2013. The inaugural event takes place between Belvidere Street and Hermitage Road on the city’s major thoroughfare, Broad Street. It’s a fun, festive event that provides turnkey fundraising opportunities for local community organizations.

Thanks to VCU students, the festival side of Broad will include exhibits from VCU academic programs, corporate sponsors, and community organizations.

It will also include:

• Music
• Art
• Food
• Fitness demonstrations

You are invited to run a mile in support of your favorite charity and then walk a mile through the festival and enjoy the fun!

Click here to register, learn more, and review a list of charities included. You can also volunteer to help – click here for details or email volunteer@broadstreetmile.com.

 CJ the DJ’s Bluegrass (Mostly) Boogaloo

 A full day of music at Ashland Coffee and Tea. 

July 20th, 2013

Tickets are $20 per person.

Featured acts include

Cary St. Ramblers

Wilkinson Family Band

Taters

East of Afton

and

Mark Newton & Company

Get more information on the website 

And don’t miss the Wine Down at the Wine Loft on July 10, 2013 to raise funds for CJSTUF!

Listed below are some of the opportunities in the Richmond area.

American Lung Association. 16-year old minimum age to help with outdoor activities, health fairs, and office chores. Call 804.267.1900.

BARK Volunteer. Dog walking, kennel care, office help, administrative, special projects, and more.

Bon Secours Hospitals. Ages 14-17 (may vary by hospital facility).

Camp Comfort Zone. 15-year old minimum age. Junior counselors can run errands, help in the office and help with activities and events. Call 804.377.3430.

Chesterfield County Library Volunteers.Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older unless otherwise specified. (804) 751-4142.

Children’s Museum of Richmond. Help educators, assist with groups, computers, and art studio.

Easter Seals Virginia. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older unless otherwise specified. Volunteers in Chesterfield County partner with county staff to enhance and enrich the quality of life in our community.

FeedMore Youth Volunteers. Our valuable community-service opportunities also provide youth volunteers with the chance to build skills and directly participate in the fight against hunger. Special event helpers, backpack packers, Meals on Wheels delivery riders, and more.

HandsOn Greater Richmond. Many volunteering opportunities listed.

Hanover County Volunteering.  ”What YOUth Can Do” offers a quick list of age-specific suggestions and contacts. Download our annual “quick sheet” of volunteer opportunities for young people.

HCA Hospitals. 14-year old minimum age to assist with flower and mail delivery, gift shop assistance, patient registration and more. Volunteer ages, needs and programs may vary by location.

• Chippenham Hospital – call 804.323.8882
• Henrico Doctors’ Hospital – call 804.289.4999
• John Randolph Medical Center – call 804.541.7417
• Johnston-Willis Hospital – call 804.330.2082
• Parham Doctors’ Hospital – call 804.747.5600

Maymont Foundation. If you are at least 16 years of age and have a little time to spare, Maymont has a position for you! Meet some of our volunteers and learn more about the wide variety of opportunities available.

Meadow Farm Museum. For ages 16+. If you enjoy a variety of textile projects, this may be the volunteer opportunity for you. Members participate in programs as well as reproduce textile projects for program use. Meetings are the first Saturday of the month, February-December. New members are always welcome. Information: 501-2130. For ages 10+. If you enjoy gardening and the companionship of good folks, this may be your volunteer opportunity. The Meadow Farm Agricultural Guild meets Wednesday evenings April through September to work the field crops and heirloom garden. Information: 501-2130.

Prevent Child Abuse Virginia.

Richmond Public Libraries. Volunteers are welcomed in the Main library to help with such tasks as shelf reading, shelving, data entry, assisting in the computer lab, unpacking books, stocking book sale shelves and other jobs as needed. School children 15 and up.

Richmond SPCA. Volunteers must be 14 or older to volunteer independently (without a parent or guardian). Youth volunteers 7 or older may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Youth volunteers in grades 6 through 8 may also apply to participate in our Animal Brigade Service Club. The Richmond SPCA does not accept court-mandated volunteers.

Rockwood Park Nature Center - 804-745-7020 . 14-year-old minimum – Help with exhibits, animals, nature programs and camps. Help with a variety of activities at the Rockwood Nature Center. Volunteers could be working with camp staff throughout the summer in support of the Nature Center’s camp programs, working in the exhibit hall within the Nature Center and answering questions, providing guidance, and monitoring public use of people with an interest in animals and/or nature, education and environmental studies majors and retirees. Other duties may include assisting with animal care as needed, general clean up maintenance, and completing paperwork.

Special Olympics Virginia. If you are a health care professional or student and want to volunteer to help at one of our health screening event, contact the Special Olympics Program closest to you.

VCU Medical Center. The Junior Volunteer Program provides students (ages 14-17) an opportunity to volunteer in a large, urban medical center where they are able to see the benefits of donating their time and services to their community.  They are also given the opportunity to develop and appreciate their own abilities, and to learn about career opportunities in the health care field. During the summer of 2013 there will be two sessions.  Each runs for three weeks, Monday-Thursday, from 8:30am-12:00pm.  Junior Volunteers in Session I will volunteer July 8-25.  Junior Volunteers in Session II will volunteer July 29-August 15.

Virginia Rep Volunteers. Contact them for more information.

Virginia State Park Youth Corps. Youth Corps projects are visible, tangible and meaningful. Crewmembers often return to the parks where they served and appreciate their projects for many years. Projects have educational aspects, are environmentally sound and fulfill an unmet need in the park.

Volunteers of Louisa. Various opportunities for different ages.

YMCA . Help with a variety of volunteer opportunities. Pick one to suit your interests, talents and schedule. Check with your nearest YMCA to determine if they allow youth volunteers.

• Chester Branch - 804-748-9622
• Manchester Branch - 804-276-9622
• Midlothian Branch - 804-379-5668
• Camp Thunderbird YMCA - 804-748-6714

Click here for more volunteer opportunities in the Richmond area.

And she needs your help!

The “We Heart Harlie” Kids Fun Run and 5K is scheduled for May 18, 2013 at Glen Allen Elementary School. This is a fun time for families and it helps raise money for medical care and much needed help for Harlie.

You can register for the race and learn more here.  It’s just $25 for the 5k and only $10 for the 1/2 mile kids fun run. Registration also includes raffle tickets. Online registration closes May 17 at midnight.

Visit the ‘Life Since Harlie’ blog to read more about Harlie’s wonderful life and see how she has overcome her medical challenges to bring joy, happiness, and overwhelming love to her family and friends. You can also follow her journey on Facebook.

Be sure and sign up for the race: May 18. Bring the family, and have fun with Harlie!

Event name: American Diabetes Association’s 3rd Annual Garden Party
Location: Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225
Date: Friday, May 10, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm-11:00 pm

The American Diabetes Association’s 3rd Annual Garden Party will bring the community together for a fabulous night of fun, supporting our mission to find the cure for diabetes and to improve the lives of all people with this disease. This spectacular event will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Willow Oaks Country Club. The evening will feature gourmet hors d’oeuvres, open bars, live and silent auctions, fun entertainment with dancing, and a one-of-a-kind wine giveaway.

Sweet Monday Garden Tea

God makes the seed grow. 1 Cor. 3:7b

May 13, 2013

Time:  4-6 p.m.

Sweet Monday after Mother’s Day – Tour the gardens at the home of

Richard & Sherry Sharp

501 Rivergate Drive

Richmond, VA 23238

Richmond’s first-ever Sweet Monday Garden Tea will be held May 13, 2013 in Richmond, Virginia on the beautiful grounds at the home of Richard and Sherry Sharp.

Kim Newlen

When Kim Newlen began Sweet Monday in her home 18 years ago, she had no idea that God would take this tiny sweet seed and plant Sweet Monday outreaches around the world. According to Kim, their stated mission of “reaching out to women one sweet invitation at a time for Christ” is God’s Great Commission right here in our own backyard and beyond!

Just last month after Sweet Monday in her home, Kim heard from a Sweet Hostess in England about two Sweet Monday outreaches meeting in small villages there.  Through donations and ticket sales, the Sweet Monday organization can continue planting Sweet Monday outreaches around the world and provide support as the ministry grows.

And Sweet Monday is now in 48 states!

The Garden Party is an opportunity to enjoy the incredible gardens of the Sharp family while raising money for an important cause.

How to Purchase Tickets

Individual tickets are $25 and can be purchased several ways:

• Through the website: www.sweetmonday.org
• Mail your checks to: Sweet Monday  - ATTN: Garden Tea Tickets, 1006 Pump Road, Richmond, VA 23238
• Stop by the Sweet Monday office located at 1006 Pump Road, Richmond, VA 23238

In addition, donations can be made to help plant Sweet Monday outreaches. Make a donation “In Sweet Memory or In Sweet Honor” of a “sweet person” who has helped you bloom. Your “sweet person’s” name will be acknowledged on a blossom at the event. Your donations can also be made through the website or by mailing checks to the Sweet Monday office.

• Designate the amount you wish to donate
• Indicate the name of the “sweet person” you wish to recognize “In Sweet Memory or In Sweet Honor”
• We encourage you to email your specific memory or words of encouragement to: SweetMondayGardenTea@gmail.com

So please make plans to join in during this fun event! Feel free to wear your tea party hat and comfortable shoes when you tour the beautiful gardens of the Sharp family in Richmond.

Kim Newlen is also founder of the LookBetterThanYouFeel garment for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Her new devotional for women will be published and released in September, 2013.

Full Circle’s 5^th annual family-fun Round Up event is April 28, 2013

Full Circle, Richmond’s Family Grief Center, will host the 5^th annual family-fun Round Up event Sunday, April 28 at Innsbrook picnic area at 4222 Cox Road from 2:00pm-6:00pm. Cost is only $5 per child (2 years old and under are free) and $15 for adults.

Ticket price includes dinner, kids meal, and an all-access pass to fun activities featuring Radio Disney with music, dancing, games and prizes.  Also enjoy fishing around the lake, moonbounces, field games, arts & crafts, face painting and more!

All proceeds support Full Circle’s professional grief support programs.

For event and raffle tickets or for more information, contact Delaney Mescall at 804.912.2947, x103, delaney@fullcirclegc.org or visit  the Full Circle website.

This event will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 9am to 1pm.  They are in the process of updating their event site to reflect all of the wonderful changes and 2013 event. Be sure and mark your calendar for this event now.

Early Bird registration will be available in the near future which may also include some cool discounts or prizes… so if you want to be IN on this, make sure you subscribe to their event site to receive updates via email AND like the event fanpage on Facebook.

Please SHARE this information with your friends, family and social networks so we have another great turn-out this year.

Thanks for supporting all of our Richmond fundraising efforts!