Outdoors
Sports Backers kicks off ‘Building a Vibrant Community’ fundraising campaign
The $3 million, five-year campaign has raised more than $1.5 million to date.
Sports Backers, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring people to live actively, kicked off their ‘Building a Vibrant Community’ campaign with the announcement that the campaign has already raised more than $1.5 million towards its $3 million, five-year goal.
“The Building a Vibrant Community campaign will raise funds to make a lasting impact on the Richmond region,” said Jon Lugbill, Executive Director of Sports Backers. “This campaign will help us grow and create major events, expand the number of group fitness and youth activity programs we offer, build world-class bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and empower volunteer leaders and our region’s best and brightest scholar-athletes. As a result, our region will be a healthier and more vibrant place to live, work, and play.”
The initial success of the Building a Vibrant Community campaign is thanks to contribution pledges from corporations, foundations, community leaders, and regional governments. The campaign is led by Chairman Daniel Gecker, Chair and Partner for Urban Development Associates. Members of the Campaign Committee include the following community leaders:
- Carrie Roth, Chair of Sports Backers Board of Directors, Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission
- Neil Agnihotri, Surgeon, Agnihotri Cosmetic Facial Surgery
- Lashrecse Aird, Richard Bland College of William & Mary
- Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels
- Bob Blue, CEO, Dominion Energy
- Suzanne Gardner, Banking Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
- Roy Grier, Community Volunteer
- Burke King, Community Volunteer
- Kim MacLeod, Finance Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
- Sam Mintz, Financial Advisor, Truist
- Clark Mercer, Community Volunteer
- Ken Shepard, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Portfolio Strategy, Bank of America
- Bobby Ukrop, CEO & President, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods
- Tom Vozenilek, Executive Vice President, Colliers International
An investment in this $3 million campaign benefits the Richmond region by:
- Energizing the Richmond community by reinvesting in significant events, expanding the goal-setting impacts of all events, and creating new events
- Advocating for active living infrastructure, including the Fall Line trail, and creating an active living hub for the region
- Hosting group fitness programs, including weekly fitness classes, youth fitness clubs, and training teams, as well as a scholar-athlete leadership program
“My confidence in the impact Sports Backers will continue to have on the health and vibrancy of our community has never been stronger,” said campaign chairman Daniel Gecker. “Sports Backers’ ingenuity and dedication to their mission has helped keep our entire community moving during one of the most challenging periods of our lives. This campaign will build on that and provide even more opportunities to get us moving, which is something we all have a renewed appreciation for.”
The following foundations, individuals, companies, and jurisdictions have already made significant contributions to the Building a Vibrant Community campaign:
- Lashrecse Aird
- Allianz Partners
- Astrya
- Bank of America
- Bob & Liz Blue
- Margaret & Al Broaddus
- Cameron Foundation
- Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
- Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer
- Davis Elkins Charitable Foundation Trust
- Susan & Lennart Freeman
- Don & Betsy Garber
- Suzanne Gardner
- Matt & Kirsti Goodwin
- Greater Richmond Partnership
- Roy & Charlotte Grier
- Hanover County
- Henrico County
- Heritage Wealth Advisors
- Hunton Andrews Kurth
- Dorothy Jaeckle
- John Randolph Foundation
- Chris & Nancy Jo Kantner
- Burke & Gay King
- KPMG
- Maria (Keech) leGrand
- David Lyons
- Kim MacLeod
- Clark Mercer
- Sam Mintz
- Randy & Mary Lloyd Parks
- Frank & Caren Payne
- P.D. Brooks
- Maria Purcell
- City of Richmond
- Richmond Region Tourism
- Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Road Runners Club of America
- RMC Events
- Sam & Nikki Young
- S.B. Cox
- Scott* and Karen Schricker
- Shamin Hotels
- Ken & Brooke Shepard
- Bob & Melinda Sledd
- Buck Stinson
- Barbara J. Thalhimer & William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Family Fund
- Jayne & Bobby Ukrop
- Tom & Betty Baugh Vozenilek
- Tamara Wagner
- Lee & Margie Warfield
- Craig & Anita Waters
(* Denotes deceased)
To learn more about Sports Backers and the Building a Vibrant Community campaign, visitwww.sportsbackers.org or contact Megan Capito, Director of Development, at 804-285-9495 or[email protected].
Community
Photos: RFD Practicing on the James
The river is running high and it’s a perfect time to practice river rescues.
The next ones were done using a different type of lens called a Tilt Lens that throws off the perspective. I’ll have some more of these featuring the rest of the city later today or tomorrow.
Community
Take a Hike on Buttermilk with Andrew Alli the James River Parks System’s Trail Manager
If you’ve never hiked Buttermilk or Northbank trails you need to fix that ASAP.
Andrew grew up in the Richmond area and was drawn to the James from a very early age. What began as a mysterious and magical body of water in his life eventually became one of the strongest and most consistent connectors to his community, his career, and his love of music.
Andrew gives us a sneak peek into his world of trail management with the James River Park System, discusses the ins and outs of how a trail is a living, growing thing that must be maintained, shares his journey as a blues musician and harmonica player, and never stops advocating for the protection of the river and our natural spaces.
Community
James River Association is Recruiting Students for the Adventure of a Lifetime
The James River Association (JRA) is currently seeking student and teacher applications for James River Leadership Expeditions (JRLE), a year-long program for high schoolers interested in advocating for the James River.
The James River Association (JRA) is currently seeking student and teacher applications for James River Leadership Expeditions (JRLE), a year-long program for high schoolers interested in advocating for the James River.Photo Credit: JRA
The program is segmented into four sessions running from July 2023 through May 2024, and it provides students with the opportunity to enjoy river-based education, build new friendships, develop leadership skills, and carry out a community capstone project. JRA will accept 30 students in the 2023-24 program across the James River watershed.
JRLE kicks off during the summer with Session One, perhaps the program’s most beloved experience: a week-long, overnight paddle adventure on the James River. These trips are divided into three excursions covering the Upper, Middle, and Lower James.
Photo Credit: JRA
Throughout the trip, students learn technical skills like how to canoe and camp overnight and they receive further education through unparalleled access to local culture, history, and environmental teachings. They also experience a highly unique setting that gives them the chance to build confidence, self-esteem, and relationships with their fellow participants.
Nash McDowell, a JRLE alum who previously participated in the program, has this advice for students considering the program: “If I could tell students one thing, it’s that you will never experience something like this again. The James River Association is offering an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. To spend one week on the James River, technology-free, with good company, is something very hard to find. When the opportunity presents itself, take it.”
Continuing into the school year, JRLE’s second session offers an overnight brainstorming event where students discuss community capstone projects together. The third session consists of a working group complete with games that tap into personality styles, self-awareness, public speaking, and relationship management. The program ends with session four, a leadership launch and environmental symposium, where students can present their capstone projects and celebrate their accomplishments for the year.
“Through James River Leadership Expeditions, students learn they are capable of far more than they realize,” said Genevieve Wall, Senior Environmental Educator for JRA. “The experiences and relationships they build throughout the program help provide skills and awareness they will develop and use for years to come. As educators, we are honored to be able to sow seeds of knowledge, understanding, and connection to the James River through this unique and life-changing program. We look forward to welcoming new river stewards of tomorrow to our 2023-24 season.”
Photo Credit: JRA
The James River Leadership Expeditions program is made possible in part by generous support from the Luck Companies Foundation Fund. To learn more about JRLE and apply, visit https://thejamesriver.org/
students-of-the-james/james- river-leadership-expeditions/.
University of Richmond announces new provost
Henrico HS principal honored with REB Leadership Award; Colonial Trail ES principal is runner-up
Photo of the Day: Sunset Road
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Photo of the Day: Kaleidoscope
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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
