News About the Mission
Community Foundation awards grant to Mission
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge made 36 grants totalling about $200,000 to area groups, and Valley Mission is one of the recipients from this competitive grants program! The Mission's new funds will provide the resources needed to offer a formal life-skills education program for Mission residents. Quoted in Staunton's
New Leader on May 28, 2011, Foundation grants manager Christiana Shields said, 'Community needs continue to be particularly compelling this year, and we are thankful to be able to invest in worthy programs that can directly serve the people of our community.'
Students Raise $2,081 for Mission
Four senior students from Shenandoah Valley Governor's School decided to let it all go on the dance floor for the Valley Mission by holding a high-energy RAVE at the Wilson Recreation Center on December 18. Planning the event would meet a Governor's School requirement to complete a project that serves others, so Hannah Myers from Wilson Memorial High School, Megan Lowery from Stuarts Draft and Camden Kurtz and Sam Roberts from R.E. Lee organized the event, sold tickets and sponsorships and arranged for DJ Picco Gabellirie, the student who sponsored a similar event the year before. Despite snowy weather in mid-December, more than 250 students from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County high schools turned out for the RAVE, and spent four hours jumping up and down, singing, shouting, waving glow sticks and having a lot of fun together.
On Monday, May 23, 2011, the students presented a check to the Mission for $2,081, the event's proceeds after expenses. The four students, shown above from left Sam Roberts, Camden Kurtz, Megan Lowery and Hannah Myers, were excited to visit the Mission and to help serve lunch to the shelter residents. David Reed, Mission executive director, thanked the students, saying, 'This was a very nice contribution on the part of the kids,' adding that any time youth donate their time and resources to serve others, it has a 'special significance.' Reed said the contribution will go into the Mission's operating budget which has been stretched thin recently by the growing demands for shelter space and resources.
--Adapted from an article published May 24, 2011 in The News Leader, Staunton's local newspaper, reported by Megan Williams.
--Photograph published May 25, 2011 in The News Virginian, Waynesboro's local newspaper, with article reported by Bob Stuart.
Staunton Restaurant Week 2011 Brings in $2006
Staunton's ten best restaurants opened their doors to customers who wanted to help Valley Mission and have a great dining experience. 
Sponsored by Staunton Downtown Development Association, Staunton Tourism and The Hook, the week of March 21-27, 2011, was declared Restaurant Week. Each restaurant offered a prix fixe multi-course meal of appetizer, entree and dessert -- all for a good cause, to benefit the Valley Mission. From each meal, the restaurants donated $1 to the Mission.
Restaurant Week was a huge success. Over 2,000 meals were sold at the 10 restaurants participating, bringing $2006 dollars to the Mission. Restaurant owners were delighted at the number of new customers attracted by Restaurant Week, and the restaurants were busy to capacity all week.
Thank you to all the restaurant owners and staff and to all the customers, for your generosity to the Mission.
Read more in The Beacon, the Mission's newsletter.
