Nominations for the  

2023 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

are now open!

  Through Hanover County’s annual Spirit of Volunteerism Awards, 

the county’s Board of Supervisors, leaders and the community pay tribute to 

outstanding Hanover County residents and the individuals and organizations whose thousands of hours of volunteer service benefit the citizens of Hanover County.

For more information and to nominate yourself or someone else, visit https://www.hanovercounty.gov/1228/Spirit-of-Volunteerism.

2022 Volunteer Highlights

Hanover County’s spirit of volunteerism was aptly demonstrated in 2022 throughout the community, within schools, by volunteer firefighters, motorist assistance and rescue personnel who risk their lives for others, as well as by the many people who volunteered for non-profit and faith-based organizations. We also saw neighbors helping neighbors and new programs created to respond to developing needs, particularly related to the ongoing Covid crisis. Reports from both community-based and county-operated volunteer programs recorded more than 106,120 volunteer service hours in FY2022, a dollar impact equivalent of approximately $3,028,700. 

2022 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards

In October 2022, David and Judy Fuller received a Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award in the category Independent Group (family, friends, neighborhood or other informal group organized as volunteers for a project or organization). In 2021, they provided 600 hours of service to Hanover County through multiple volunteer efforts that have positively impacted many residents. They are committed to filling each day with activities that help others.

Mr. Fuller is retired from a career that highlighted Virginia and Hanover County, supporting economic development and public schools. The needs addressed by the Fullers through their volunteer efforts directly influence many in the county.  In retirement, he and his wife have received special training from the Sheriff’s Office that enable them to provide care for autistic children and older citizens with memory disorders. They also participate in the Motorist Assist program, driving a specially equipped and marked SUV, to help stranded travelers and disabled motorists. They help direct traffic at motor vehicle crashes, with road closings for funeral escorts and help visitors to Hanover Tavern get safely across the road from the courthouse complex. The Fullers have worked with the Rotary Club to provide funding in the amount of $11,000 for the Project Lifesaver Program. While many organizations charge the participants for the equipment and battery changes, the Sheriff’s Office offers this service without charge due to donations. The Fullers also go to the homes of those with cognitive impairment, showing kindness and patience to the patients and their families, while repairing and updating their location monitors. 

Mr. Fuller also serves as president of the Historic Polegreen Church Foundation, as secretary of Covenant Woods, vice-president of the Hanover Tavern Foundation, and as treasurer for the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Virginia and D.C. He is the treasurer of Forward Foundation, chair of the Bell Creek Community Development Authority, chair of the Hanover County Parks and Recreation Commission, vice-chair of Hanover County Schools Career Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Board, director of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce Foundation and member of the Rotary Club of Mechanicsville Foundation. He serves on the Hanover County Sheriffs Advisory Board and is a judge for the Regional Governor's School.

2022 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

On May 12, the Department of Community Resources held its annual Spirit of Volunteerism recognition event, which recognizes the volunteer efforts of nominees who helped to transform lives, build social connectedness, foster active citizenship and create resilient communities. The goal of the event was to acknowledge the strength of volunteer service that is the foundation of the county’s residents, tradition and spirit. It also celebrated all volunteers, and recognized the 25 award nominees and award recipients.

The guest host was Simone Cuccurullo, an anchor on the NBC 12 News Team and county resident. Susan Greenbaum was the guest performer. The event sponsors included Ace Hardware & Equipment, Copy Cat, Covenant Woods, Grace Community Presbyterian Church, Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Virginia Credit Union. These sponsors made a financial contribution to the schools or organizations designated by the award recipients, and also participated in the selection process. This year, a new partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre resulted in all of the award recipients receiving two complimentary tickets to an upcoming theatre productions during the 2023 season.

Some of the highlighted recipients were:

• Memorial Regional. Although it particularly deserved recognition for its exceptional service during the pandemic, the award was focused on the Hanover Crisis Intervention Center. This center is located in the emergency room, and is a partnership between Bon Secours Mercy Health, the Hanover County Community Services Board and the Hanover County Sheriff's Office to better serve those experiencing a mental health crisis. 
• Scott Boyer was one of the founding members of the Concert Ballet of Virginia. Now, at the age of 73, he continues to work with hundreds of dancers throughout the state, giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams on or behind the stage. Regardless of age, size or ability, he makes sure to showcase the strengths of the performers and crew. 
• Since 2017, Kim Alford has volunteered in a number of roles with Wings of Hope Ranch, a Christian-based non-profit that rescues neglected horses and rehabilitates them to provide a ministry to help children facing conflicts or challenges. She volunteers more than 90 hours as a barn volunteer, more than 80 hours as a sessions supervisor, and more than 20 hours serving on the board of directors. In addition, she gives 300 more hours in consulting, special event volunteering, speaking to clinic attendees, and leading special groups. 
• Last year, the Henrico & Chickahominy MRC provided more than 22,000 hours of volunteer services in the county. These included more than 16,000 hours supporting the Hanover Vaccination Center Covid-19 vaccination clinics. They spent 4,000 hours supporting community vaccination clinics at Randolph-Macon College, and 1,780 hours supporting vaccination clinics at Hanover County Public Schools. 

These and the other award recipients provide affirmation that the actions of every volunteer can have a lasting ripple effect that change lives far beyond their original purpose.

Hanover County Department of Community Resources
 P.O. Box 470
 Hanover, VA 23069
 Email: volunteer@hanovercounty.gov
 Fax: 804-365-4299