2011 marks a milestone for both the Chamber and Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI). Ten years ago the two organizations created a series of awards for local businesses that make extraordinary efforts to help those in need. Now RGI and the Chamber are proud to invite the business community to the 10th annual Chamber Goodwill Awards on Oct. 13 at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House. The honors will go to businesses that have contributed significantly to the non-profit community through financial gifts, in-kind donations of goods or services or sponsorship of employee volunteerism.
RGI President and CEO Woody Van Valkenburgh hailed past award winners, adding that he’s excited about honoring this year’s group of selected philanthropists. “I never cease to be grateful for the consistent generosity of our local business community,” he said. “Even in tough economic times, area businesses give generously to organizations and individuals in need. Beyond financial gifts, they give of their time and encourage their employees to volunteer for a variety of worthy causes. Rappahannock Goodwill Industries is proud to mark 10 years of helping sponsor the Goodwill Awards, which recognizes businesses that give so much to our community.”
Andrea Sawyer, an advocate for The Wounded Warrior Project, will deliver the event’s keynote address.
Mrs. Sawyer become involved with The Wounded Warrior Project as her husband struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following his return from Iraq. As she strove to care for him, she discovered that the WWP offers wounded warriors and their caregivers the opportunity to live and love again. The organization’s mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, aid them in the recovery process and help them to transition back to civilian life. Tens of thousands of wounded warriors and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs designed to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement.
The 2011 Goodwill Awards will take place at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center. The event will include an expo that will give area non-profit organizations a chance to highlight their missions. Breakfast will be served before the awards ceremony. The Mary Washington Hospital Foundation will also present the Lawrence and Martha McMurtry Award for Excellence and Innovation in Community Health and Wellness.
Tickets are $20 for Chamber members, $25 for the general public. Expo tables are $30 for non-profits that belong to the Chamber, which includes one ticket to the awards ceremony. Non-profits that are not Chamber members can purchase an expo table for $50. Expo Sponsorships for businesses are available for $100. Additional sponsorships are available starting at $250.
Anyone wishing to attend can contact Alexis Neustatter at (540)373-9563 or alexis@fredericksburgchamber.org.
About Rappahannock Goodwill Industries
Since 1966, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries has believed in the power of work to change peoples’ lives. Its mission is to provide to people with barriers to employment – particularly those with disabilities – an array of quality vocational and educational services so that they can work most independently. RGI serves the City of Fredericksburg and a 12-county territory in East Central Virginia, including the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Louisa, Orange, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Essex, Richmond, Northumberland, and Westmoreland.
About the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is a working partnership of business and professional people in the Fredericksburg Region. It serves as the primary leader of, and advocate for, the business community in order to create a better business environment and community at large. Its mission is to facilitate healthy economic growth.