VCU alumni and members of the RVA GOLD Chapter Joseph Stemmle, Timmy Nguyen and Khanh Burks; Gov. Ralph Northam; Allison Toney, associate director of outreach and engagement, Amy Beck, executive director of alumni outreach and engagement, and Josh Hiscock, associate vice president for alumni relations, VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

April 19, 2018

VCU Alumni’s RVA GOLD Chapter receives Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award

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CONTACT: Kristen Caldwell
Virginia Commonwealth University
Office of Development and Alumni Relations
Phone: (804) 828-3977
Email: kcaldwell2@vcu.edu

 

VCU Alumni’s RVA GOLD Chapter has been honored with the 2018 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Education Organization.

VCU Alumni’s Richmond chapter received the award April 10 from Gov. Ralph Northam for making volunteering a key priority in its initiatives, from leading the charge against hunger in Virginia and delivering hot meals to area veterans to taking Richmond students back-to-school shopping and writing cards for overseas military troops. The chapter represents more than 65,000 VCU alumni who live in the Richmond metro area.

The RVA GOLD Chapter and its leaders are role models for fellow alumni.

“VCU is proud of our RVA GOLD alumni chapter,” said Joshua I. Hiscock, associate vice president for alumni relations. “The value of engaging in service within the community was instilled in these leaders as students and continues to be a priority and passion for them as alumni. The RVA GOLD Chapter and its leaders are role models for fellow alumni and are a positive force for change within the greater Richmond community.”

One of the chapter’s largest efforts, the Alumni Charity Challenge, started in 2013 as a friendly competition among colleges and universities to see which alumni group could collect the most canned goods for FeedMore, Central Virginia’s core hunger-relief organization. The challenge has resulted in the donation of nearly 79,000 pounds of canned goods since its inception.

Douglas Pick, president and CEO of FeedMore, said he can’t imagine “a finer example of a volunteer group that exponentially leverages the energy of a community toward helping their fellow citizens in need.”

“Our VCU Alumni friends have been able to harness the passion and pride of alumni from now 30 different colleges toward some extraordinary results,” Pick said. “Their humble beginnings started with seven schools in 2013 collecting 2,776 pounds. This past year, they collected an amazing 48,355 pounds. The excitement and energy at the event is something to behold. It truly brings back faith that the world is still a good place.”

VCU received one of nine 2018 volunteer awards presented by Northam at a ceremony at the Executive Mansion.

“These individuals, organizations and companies are wonderful examples of how we can all impact our communities,” Northam said. “Their selfless acts have made a real difference to so many lives across Virginia.”

The awards are presented by the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism and the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Office on Volunteerism and Community Services on behalf of the Office of the Governor. The awards have recognized exceptional volunteer service in Virginia for more than 20 years. Visit virginiaservice.virginia.gov/volunteering/governors-volunteerism-awards/ to learn more.