Community NEWS
TENNIS LEGENDS ANDRE AGASSI AND STEPHANIE GRAF TO KICK OFF VIRGINIA 10 MILER
Tennis stars, Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf will visit Lynchburg on Friday, September 24, as guests of honor to help launch the 37th annual Virginia 10 Miler festivities. Genworth Financial, title sponsor of the Virginia 10 Miler, announced that Agassi will deliver the keynote address at 6:30 p.m. in Riverfront Park in downtown Lynchburg. Agassi will talk about his experiences and share his thoughts about delivering your personal best. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to sit on the lawn. In the event of rain, Agassi will deliver his keynote presentation at the E.C. Glass High School Theatre/Civic Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
Agassi and Graf also will officially start the 10th annual Amazing Mile Children’s Run on Friday night at 5:45 p.m. near Amazement Square. The Amazing Mile Children’s Run, sponsored by Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children’s Museum, attracts hundreds of children ages 13 and younger each year to lace up their sneakers and participate in this fun family event.
“Genworth is delighted to bring Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf to Lynchburg to help us kick off this year’s Virginia 10 Miler activities,” said Elena Edwards, Chief Operations Officer for Genworth’s U.S. Life Companies. “These world-renowned athletes share many of the values our participants and sponsors believe in–giving back in the communities where we live and work, inspiring children and adults to give their personal best and helping people realize the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle to achieving success personally and professionally.”
Also on Friday, Agassi and Graf will host a meet and greet and pre-race warm-up with Girls on the Run of Greater Lynchburg’s participants, their coaches and parents–further inspiring them to achieve their mission of preparing for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Centra will sponsor a private reception with Agassi and Graf Friday evening to provide special recognition to the leading sponsors of this year’s Virginia 10 Miler.
The Virginia 10 Miler begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at E.C. Glass High School. Proceeds from the event will go to the Coalition for HIV Awareness & Prevention of Central Virginia. For more information or to register for the race, please visit www.virginiatenmiler.com.
FUNDRAISER FOR THE JUBILEE CENTER HAS PARTICIPANTS “RACING UNDER THE STARS”
The Jubilee Family Center invites Lynchburg to go “Racing Under the Stars” in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For one night only on September 11, Randolph College’s Claire Noyes Cox indoor equestrian arena will take on a festive Churchill Downs air. Six videotaped horse races will be shown, narrated from start to finish by top-rated announcers. Those in attendance may also wager “funny money” on any or all of the races while enjoying food, music by the Skyler McCurley Band and a one-of-a-kind silent auction.
This auction features “priceless” themed packages and also gives the winning bidders access to elite events and experiences across the country, such as New York City Fashion Week, a movie premiere in Los Angeles, skiing at Deer Valley Ski Resort, outings in New York City with design industry experts and a variety of exclusive sporting events.
General admission tickets may be purchased in advance for $50. All proceeds benefit the Jubilee Family Center. For additional information, sponsorship opportunities and for ticket locations, please visit the Jubilee’s Web site, www.jubileefamily.org.
LYNCHBURG CELEBRITIES DANCE FOR A CAUSE
Looking for a night on the town that supports a good cause? Mark your calendar for the second annual Dancing with the Lynchburg Stars, a fundraising event for Virginia School of the Arts, on Saturday, October 2, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the James River Conference Center. Come be entertained as this year’s local celebrities pair up with dance instructors from VSA and the community to win your votes.
This year’s celebrity dancers are Len Stevens of WSET-TV, Lynchburg College President, Ken Garren and his wife, Sheila, Councilman Turner Perrow, Dr. Gotham Gondi, local musician Paddy Daughtery, Ted Kraje, Emily Garbee and Marjette Upshur. These 10 celebrities and their VSA dance partners will perform various dances, including waltz, tango, swing and more. During the month of September, visit www.vsaart.com to view photos and bios of all the dancers and cast your $10 vote. Each vote helps to raise much-needed funds for VSA’s programs and scholarships and is tax-deductible.
On the night of the event, hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and a martini bar will be available. A special performance by the students of VSA will also be given as final votes are tallied. Tickets for this star-studded event are $75 per person and available in advance through Virginia School of the Arts. For more information, call (434) 847-8688 or visit www.vsaart.com.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION’S MEMORY WALK 2010
The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Lynchburg Memory Walk will take place on October 16 at Riverside Park. Nearly 600 people from the Lynchburg area are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk, is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become “Champions” and raise funds to support the fight against Alzheimer’s. Champions include those living with the disease, families, caregivers and corporate and community leaders who actively support Memory Walk in our community. Participants in Memory Walks across the United States have raised more than $300 million to date.
To start a team or make a donation, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at www.lynchburgmemorywalk.com or (434) 845-8540.
YPCV REACHES OUT TO NEW HIRES
The Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) has launched a new initiative to reach out to new hires in Region 2000 and will begin distributing welcome packets to HR representatives at area companies to pass on to incoming young professionals. The packets include a welcome letter and a YP membership card that may later be activated, plus a YPCV stainless steel water bottle.
Abe Loper, Executive Director of the YPCV, says he hopes this effort will help new employees in the area feel welcome and direct them to opportunities to connect with other young professionals right away. The YPCV exists to attract and retain young talent in the area. It is dedicated to finding new ways for young adults to connect with the community, grow personally and professionally and live life to its fullest.
To request packets for your new employees, please contact Abe Loper at aloper@ypcv.org.
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE SPONSORS VIRGINIA TEN MILER IN IRAQ
A group of soldiers overseas in Iraq were able to take part in the Virginia Ten Miler on July 25, thanks to the sponsorship of Liberty University Online. The National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment participated in the 10-mile race, along with more than 300 other runners, according to 1st Lt. Patrick Wilson. The battalion, based out of Lynchburg, includes 40 soldiers, who are either Liberty students taking time away from their classes to serve or alumni.
T-shirts, race numbers, medals and the same start/finish banner used in the Lynchburg race, which is Sept. 25, were shipped to Iraq by the Virginia Ten Miler organizers. Efforts to collect door prizes, such as gift certificates, for the runners overseas was led by Steve Bozeman, a local veteran.
“An event like this demonstrates the far-reaching impact a community event like the Virginia Ten Miler can have,” said race director, Jeff Fedorko. “It is our goal to increase troop morale both here and abroad, and highlight the commitment and sacrifice our troops are making.”
“Liberty University is proud to be a part of this event to show our appreciation to our dedicated service members,” explained Emily Foutz, Director of Military Affairs at Liberty. “We are honored to have the opportunity to serve over 15,000 military personnel, veterans, and their spouses as they work towards their educational goals.”
The Virginia Ten Miler, whose title sponsor is Genworth Financial, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg. Proceeds from the event will go to the Coalition for HIV Awareness & Prevention of Central Virginia. For more information or to register for the race, please visit www.virginiatenmiler.com.
CASA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
CASA of Central Virginia is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming Court Appointed Special Advocates. Currently, the greatest need for CASA volunteers is in Bedford County. The next training program will begin on September 2 and will be held on Thursdays through November 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the New Hope Academy of Bedford Group Homes at 1185 Turning Point Road in Bedford.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Virginia is a non-profit organization that recruits, trains, monitors and supports caring community volunteers to be advocates for the abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings in the 24th Judicial District. This district includes the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson.
For more information about CASA of Central Virginia and how to be trained as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, please call (434) 528-2552, e-mail staff@cvcasa.org or visit www.cvcasa.org.
If you don't have an account, please click here to register. Registration is FREE!