Events
Toy and supply drive to benefit UMFS and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU on deck ahead of NASCAR race
Driver meet and greets, ticket donations, and prize raffles are among the activities leading into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
As part of the events leading into the upcoming Worldwide Express 250 for Carrier Appreciation race on August 13 at Richmond Raceway, Worldwide Express (“WWEX”) has partnered with local carrier Estes to organize a series of activities benefiting local charities, including UMFS and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Worldwide Express will hold a toy and supply drive at Richmond Raceway, host driver meet and greets and donate race tickets to CHoR and UMFS families.
Estes will also hold a toy drive at its Richmond headquarters from August 8-19, where employees are encouraged to donate toys and supplies in need at CHoR and UMFS. Another local carrier, UPS, will receive tickets to the Worldwide Express 250 for Carrier Appreciation race for teams and families at its local UPS Customer Center to attend.
“We are pleased to honor our carriers by making an impact on two organizations that are supported by Estes, one of our largest and longest-standing carrier partners. Over the years, Richmond-based Estes has made significant contributions of time and resources to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and UMFS, and we would like to further their efforts by encouraging donations from teams, fans, and the public at large surrounding the race,” said Worldwide Express President Rob Rose.
“As a family-owned company for over 90 years, our team loves supporting nonprofits and causes that go above and beyond to help children and families thrive, like UMFS and CHoR,” said Rob Estes, president and CEO at Estes. “We want to thank our friends at Worldwide Express for choosing Estes as its partner to help bring toys, supplies, donations, fun and hope to these deserving organizations.”
Toy and Supply Drive: August 13 and 14 at Richmond Raceway
Worldwide Express will be accepting in-person toy and supply donations at the Worldwide Express Fan Zone at the Richmond Raceway Midway on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14. Each person who donates will be entered in a raffle to win driver-signed memorabilia and prizes, including a Richmond Raceway flag signed by current NASCAR Cup Series drivers, Niece Motorsports memorabilia, and Trackhouse Racing items.
Wish list items for the two organizations include coloring books, books, fidget toys, LEGO toys, school-age wipeable toys, preschool toys, dinosaur figurines, PAW Patrol toys, slime kits, putty, therapeutic dough, kinetic sand, UNO card games, family card games, family board games, battery-powered room string lights, balls (sensory balls, playground balls, bouncy balls), remote control cars/vehicles, Matchbox cars, art supplies, and school headphones.
“We’re so grateful to be a part of this exciting opportunity through Worldwide Express. We want to help children feel comfortable and at home when they’re in the hospital, and having access to toys and supplies helps us do just that,” said Stephanie Allan, vice president for community development at Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Every dollar collected and toy donated makes a difference in a child’s life at CHoR.”
Fans can also make online monetary donations that will be used to purchase toys and supplies through the Worldwide Express website at wwex.com/toydrive. Online donations will be accepted beginning Monday, August 8, and will conclude at 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, August 19. All monetary donations will be used to purchase items directly from the CHoR and UMFS wish lists and will be donated to the organizations. Worldwide Express will match all donations up to a total of $25,000.
Driver Meet and Greet: August 11 at UMFS
On Thursday, August 11, Niece Motorsports drivers Dean Thompson and Carson Hocevar will make an appearance at UMFS alongside the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 winning No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet. The drivers will participate in a Q&A session, sign autographs, and offer photo opportunities for UMFS students, staff, and families, as well as teams from the Estes corporate headquarters. UMFS is located at 3900 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230.
“UMFS is grateful to have the unwavering support from Worldwide Express and our neighbors at Estes,” said Nancy Toscano, president and CEO at UMFS. “Both Estes and UMFS have been rooted in the Richmond community for decades, and because of strong community partners like Estes, we are able to better serve children, teens, and families across Virginia.”
Events
Hello Kitty Truck rolls into Short Pump Town Center this Saturday
This Saturday’s pop-up event at Short Pump Town Center is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out new exclusive collectibles and see the iconic vehicle up close.
Fans of the popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty are in for a treat as the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck rolls back into Richmond this Saturday, March 18th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The truck will be stationed at the main entrance of the Short Pump Town Center by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn, providing enthusiasts with an opportunity to indulge in a variety of exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, famous for delicious treats and adorable collectibles, announced that they have added new items to their menu for the Richmond event, including a Hello Kitty Cafe Cup Plush, a Hello Kitty Cafe Coin Bank, a Glass Mug with Sprinkle Handle, a Hello Kitty Cafe Lunchbox, a Hello Kitty Cafe Lavender T-Shirt, a Hello Kitty Cafe Canvas Tote, and a Hello Kitty Cafe Rainbow Thermos. Fans can also grab hand-decorated cookie sets, enamel pin sets, and Madeleine cookie sets.
Visitors to the truck can look forward to the best-selling Hello Kitty Cafe Plush Toys and Giant Hello Kitty Cafe Chef Cookies as well. The truck makes yearly stops in different cities and has been a big hit with fans since it was introduced in 2014.
This Saturday’s pop-up event at Short Pump Town Center is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out the new exclusive collectibles and see the iconic vehicle up close.
Events
2nd annual Farm Graze event will celebrate agriculture on March 25th at Deep Run Park
Coordinated with National Agriculture Day (March 21), Farm Graze will feature live animals, including chicks, goats, rabbits and bees; resources for families; a pet costume contest; crafts; and other activities.
Henrico 4-H Youth Development will hold a free community celebration of agriculture with the second annual Farm Graze event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at Deep Run Park, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway.
Coordinated with National Agriculture Day (March 21), Farm Graze will feature live animals, including chicks, goats, rabbits and bees; resources for families; a pet costume contest; crafts; and other activities. Youth will be able to complete a passport book by visiting the various exhibitors, with prizes awarded for the first 100 turned in.
Farm Graze also will collect donated items for the Henrico Animal Shelter, including used towels and blankets; Kongs and treats for dogs; toys for cats; and dry kibble and formula for kittens. All activities will take place in the recreation center or on the event field.
Henrico 4-H will showcase its programs and opportunities. Other exhibitors will include Henrico Extension, Master Gardeners, Henrico County Public Library, Henrico Recreation and Parks, Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation District, Keep Virginia Beautiful, Keep Henrico Beautiful, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Virginia State University Small Ruminant Farm, Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, West End Farmers Market and RVA City Bees.
For more information, call (804) 501-5160 or go to henrico.us/extension.
Crime
Teen Summit RVA will bring together area students to share common concerns and solutions
The daylong event will be held on March 18th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Six hundred high school students from the Richmond area will gather at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023, for Teen Summit RVA – the first in a series of annual meetings designed to engage and connect regional teens.
Teen Summit RVA 2023 will link high school students as they speak out against violence and seek solutions to daily challenges they face. Henrico County, the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County began collaborating on Teen Summit RVA in fall 2022.
The event will include panel discussions and interactions related to issues and concerns that students face daily – gun violence, drug use, mental health and equity in their school division and community. This diverse group of 14-to-18-year-olds also will be able to attend the [email protected] Regional Summer Opportunity Fair, which is presented by Virginia Career Works. Students will explore exhibits and learn about job, internship and volunteer opportunities as well as career and educational resources available to them.
Students have been selected by their schools to participate in Teen Summit RVA. While attendance is by invitation only, limited slots remain open. Any student from the participating school systems who would like to attend should contact their school’s guidance counselor.
“When students come together, their passion, creativity and hope for the future are greater than any challenge,” said Dr. Amy Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools. “Teen Summit RVA is a tremendous step in bringing together students from across the region to make connections and spark solutions that cut across county and city borders. This is the start of something important for central Virginia.”
“Teen Summit RVA is a great opportunity for students to build their leadership skills and advocate for issues that impact their peers and our community. By listening to and building up our youth, we know we will see them lead us forward,” said Jason Kamras, Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools.
Students also will be able to express themselves by contributing to an art installation and recording their spontaneous responses to thought-provoking statements in an audio booth.
Other Teen Summit RVA experiences will cover Mental Health Matters, Changing the World and Keeping Schools Safe: An Open Discussion About School Safety.
Teen Summit RVA will be hosted by nationally known, Richmond-based comedian Micah “Bam Bamm” White and is sponsored by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond.
“This innovative summit for central Virginia teens offers opportunities for them to connect with each other, hear from experts and speak up about issues important to them,” said Dr. Mervin B. Daugherty, Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
“We are so very excited for the youth of the region that this event is being held,” said Dr. Joe Casey, Chesterfield County Administrator. “So often with young people, groups and organizations talk around them and not to them. This entire event is centered on the idea of listening to students and hearing what matters most to them. It’s imperative that we understand the needs of all residents, including young people. We can’t wait to see what comes out of this event and those like it in the future.”
Media outlets are welcome to provide news coverage of Teen Summit RVA. For more information, contact Ron Carrington at (804) 690-3972 or [email protected]. Student participants will be available for interviews upon request.
More information can be found at teensummitrva.com.
Photo of the Day: Sunset Road
City hosting public meeting on replacement of Byrd Park Reservoir roof
Photo of the Day: Kaleidoscope
Spots still open in academic ‘pandemic recovery’ program ENGAGE Virginia
Deau Eyes wins 2023 Newlin Music Prize for Best Album from Richmond, Virginia
Gardeners Wanted to Help in Forest Hill Park
Husband-and-wife duo bringing new restaurant concept to former Mill on MacArthur space
New full-service commercial kitchen, fast casual food hall opens Wednesday
Richmond Falcon Cam is Back
