Virginia Service

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Nelia Tingle Fellowship of Fairfields United Methodist Church
Area Served: Urbanna
The Nelia Tingle Fellowship (NTF) of Fairfields United Methodist Church is a faith-based group dedicated to providing fellowship and service to the community. For the past four years, the NTF members have volunteered hundreds of hours, raised $25,000 co-hosting the "Light the Way" Walk-a-Thon in partnership with volunteers raising money to support Meals-on-Wheels, MedCarry and Emergency Services. This past year, NTF have supplied 50 students with school supplies, collected, packed and shipped items to our troops in Iraq, provided food on a monthly basis to the area food bank, served as volunteers in delivering food, provided non-emergency medical transportation, and donated toys for children. NTF's dedication of time, money and thoughtfulness is appreciated by the community. This group has provided these services to the community for over 50 years.
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Mary Doris Ferguson
Area Served: Chesapeake
Although she retired from a full-time career, volunteering has become Mary's passion. Mary Ferguson's volunteerism is comparable to a full-time job, both in time and professional competency. Giving of her time and talents is not new to Ms. Ferguson. Her assignments may be to staff the Chesapeake Medical Reserve Corps office, register volunteers, or assist the Health Department in various emergency preparedness and public health exercises. Most impressive is her initiative to serve in whatever capacity is needed to effectively fulfill an existing mission. Her nursing skills were invaluable in staffing the Health Department's hotline during an expansive Tuberculosis exposure and investigation. She understood the facts and how to sensitively communicate them to the general public. The energy, insight and can-do spirit she displays is very infectious. She spearheaded the "Cover Our Cough - Spread the Word, Not the Germs" campaign in Chesapeake City Schools, Community Centers and Faith-Based organizations. She has been a tremendous resource in generating championship and leadership support from public and private partnerships.
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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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Leah Raffeinner
Area Served: Carroll County
Getting through the daily mountain of homework is hard enough for kids who have help at home from parents and family members. For many children, there's no one available to support them as they struggle to understand their assignments. As a Reading for Life AmeriCorps member with Carroll County Schools, Leah Raffeinner provided the patience and support to a grateful group of teenagers when there was no one else to help. As she gained the trust of her students, they leaned on her advice and mentorship more and more. Never ruffled by the task at hand, Leah was able to work with a diverse group of students with a variety of emotional and learning needs. She also served at a local elementary school helping with reading intervention for K-5th grade students. Spreading her love of service, Leah often involved her Girl Scout troop and her pre-school students in many AmeriCorps community projects, including a Christmas community food drive, Christmas parade, Dr. Seuss' Read Across America, Earth Day and a school landscaping project. Leah Raffeinner is proof that a giving heart is rewarded. Find your passion and volunteer today.
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