Virginia Service

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Terry D. Dickinson, DDS
Area Served: Statewide
Terry D. Dickinson, DDS, has been awarded the Private Citizen Distinguished Service to State Government Award by the National Governors' Association (NGA). Selected among nominees from governors across the country, Dr. Dickinson was nominated by Governor Kaine for his outstanding public service in providing free dental care to thousands of underserved Virginians. "Dr. Dickinson has taken his professional skill as a dentist and blended it with a deep personal compassion for others to make a significant difference for thousands of underserved Virginians and others across the nation," said Governor Kaine. "He is a Virginia treasure whom I am immensely proud to have nominated for this award. His selection by the NGA confirms his outstanding service and compassion for others." In his role as the Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), Dr. Dickinson is the founder and driving force of the VDA's "Mission of Mercy" or MOM Projects. Through the MOM Projects, Dickinson coordinates hundreds of volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, and others to provide free dental services to underserved Virginians. Since 2000, Dickinson has directed 39 MOM Projects across the Commonwealth which have provided more than $14.5 million in free dental care to over 30,000 patients. "I have been to several MOM Projects, and have witnessed first-hand what a difference Terry has made in providing quality dental care to so many Virginians in need," Governor Kaine said. Dickinson's work on the MOM Projects has extended well beyond Virginia's borders. In February, 2006, he coordinated a week-long MOM Project in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina victims. Treating 3,500 patients, it was the largest dental outreach project in history. The highly successful MOM Project has been replicated in several other states, including Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Colorado, West Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina. The NGA Distinguished Service award also recognized Dickinson's role in the restructuring of Virginia's Medicaid/CHIP dental program to provide greater access to dental care for more than 450,000 children. Dickinson worked closely with state officials to create the new program and recruit additional dentists to care for the children. Due largely to his efforts, there has been a 100% increase in participating providers, and a 55% increase in the percentage of eligible children receiving care.
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New River Valley Progressive Men’s Club
Area Served: Christiansburg
For the community of Christiansburg, the New River Valley Progressive Men's Club has been the source of hope for many area organizations and individuals in need. Working mainly to provide educational scholarships for New River Valley students and support services for the elderly, the men's group has raised money for area church programs, community events, sorority and fraternity projects, families in need, and more. The organization's three annual educational scholarships help local students afford an education. The motivated group of men believe in the power of the ripple effect. Doing good creates a ripple that spreads and eventually becomes a wave. That wave gains strength and force and builds to become a tsunami of good. The New River Valley Progressive Men's Club invite others to follow the example and start a ripple effect in their own community. Find your passion and volunteer today.
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Jordan Begley
Area Served: Scott County
For many students at Fort Blackmore Primary School in Scott County, it was a dream come true when they got to take as many as 19 books home for free. The wildly successful book drive was just one of Jordan Begley's many accomplishments last year as a first-time AmeriCorps member with Mountain Empire Community College (MECC). The book drive, which resulted in more than 900 books donated for the kids, was the culmination of a Winter Festival activity co-sponsored by the PTO. After working with the children to have them read winter-themed stories and participating in winter-themed activities, Jordan led and executed the book drive which brought reading material into the homes of many children who had no books until that time. During the year, Jordan also helped with MECC's service project at Home Crafts Days, with the Imagination Library Program, and with a tornado clean-up service project. As an AmeriCorps member Jordan also enthusiastically led training activities at weekly meetings and was one of four members who attended the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta. Jordan Begley is an AmeriCorps member who is getting things done in Virginia. Find your passion and volunteer today.
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My Plumber Heating and Air
Area Served: Northern Virginia
My Plumber Heating and Air, based in Manassas, has made significant contributions to the welfare of Virginians through its Warm Hands and Full Hearts food drives and many other community service activities. Over the past four years, My Plumber has collected more than 53,000 pounds of food for the hungry through annual food drives. The collected food is distributed to pantries and other organizations that provide food to the needy. The Warm Hands and Full Hearts program works by offering discounts to customers in exchange for a donation of at least five non-perishable food items. My Plumber has also developed a Food Drive Challenge to encourage other companies nationwide to raise food in their own communities. The company frequently discounts or donates services to nonprofit organizations, is involved as a drop-off point for Toys for Tots during the holidays, and has helped to promote breast cancer awareness by distributing pink ribbons and brochures. My Plumber is a Virginia company that continues to find ways to improve the lives of everyone in the community. Find you passion and volunteer today.
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Ron Calugar
Area Served: Virginia Beach
Helping others is a labor of love that took flight for Ron Calugar when he started his Angel Flight program. It was just five years ago when Ron acquired his pilots license and purchased an airplane. He discovered Angel Flight, a nonprofit organization providing free air transportation in times of critical medical need. Pilots who fly these missions donate the use of their airplanes and the operating expenses for each flight. While most pilots who participate in the program only do so on an occasional basis, Ron flies for Angel Flight several times each month. Since 2007, he has flown 30 missions, donating more than $19,000 of his own money to fund those missions. He has also devoted his time to develop a Web site for Angel Flight pilots for the purpose of mission coordination, saving Angel Flight's staff and pilots hundreds of hours each year. Ron proclaims that he desires to serve God with his life through Angel Flight saying, "Love is expending yourself on behalf of others without expecting or requiring anything in return." Find your passion and volunteer today.
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