Scouts earn Gold Awards

Valentina Heath and Marinne Elizabeth Williams, members of Roanoke Troop 19, recently earned their Gold Awards, the highest achievement given by Girl Scouts of the USA.

As a requirement for the award, the Scouts have to design and carry out a plan of activities that includes community service, career exploration and specialized badge work. In addition, the girls have to perform a minimum of 65 hours of volunteer community service.

Heath provided art supplies and conducted projects for the children at the Rescue Mission's Women and Children's Center.

"My goal was to assist the children in expressing their emotions through their artwork while providing them with an opportunity to enjoy art," said Heath, who solicited supplies from the Packaging Store, Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Williams created a video on the dangers of texting and driving.

"I learned how dangerous and life-threatening texting and driving is to myself and others," Williams said, adding she also learned to plan and complete a multifaceted project. She received assistance from the Cave Spring Rescue Squad and Judge Phil Trompeter.

Both Scouts are freshmen at Virginia Western Community College. Heath is the daughter of Robert and Susan Heath, and Williams is the daughter of Leigh-Anne and Lee Williams, all of Roanoke County.

Diana Ehresman is their troop leader.

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The Community Outreach Program of Roanoke has received grants totaling more than $50,000 from three Roanoke Valley organizations.

The nonprofit Community Outreach Program offers services and activities to improve the quality of life of inner city children living in poverty in Roanoke.

A $20,882.86 grant from the Foundation for Roanoke Valley - $4,630 from the A. Anson and Theresa G. Jamison Fund, $8,895 from the Al and Olivia Graham Fund, and $7,357.86 from the Community Catalyst Funds - will be used to provide educational supplies and programs, take-home weekend meals and add computer literacy training for participants.

The Board of Missions, United Methodist Roanoke District, awarded a $30,000 grant for general program support and to provide children with reliable, safe transportation between home and activities.

The Community Outreach Program's Safe Transportation Initiative will go forward with a $1,500 Community Opportunity Grant from the Junior League of Roanoke Valley.

During Community Outreach's 2011/2012 program year, 83 children received 10,410 meals.

The United Methodist Women of Trinity United Methodist Church started the program in 1989 as an outreach to the children living in downtown Roanoke neighborhoods. Initially they met once each week and had a warm meal together.

With the involvement of more churches, the program transports children and youth from their homes three nights each week for a meal prepared by volunteers.

After dinner, children engage in learning math, spelling, reading and physical education. The program also offers special dinners and fun events at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as providing school supplies, weekend meal packs from the You Feed Others program, free clothing from a volunteer-run Clothes Closet, camp scholarships to the local camp Alta Mons, and Christmas Angel gifts of new clothes and toys.

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The Colonel William Preston Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has received a Virginia DAR first-place Conference Award for Women in American History for its book, "Notable Women West of the Blue Ridge - Twentieth Century."

The book depicts 54 Southwest Virginia women who made their mark in business, in the arts, in education, medicine, government, law, historic preservation, in charitable endeavors and in the religious life of their community and the world.

The book, which was released in November 2011, served as a chapter fundraiser and is a sequel to the book, "Notable Women West of the Blue Ridge 1850-1950."

For 90 years the Colonel William Preston Chapter has worked with schools and colleges to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for children.

Funds from the sale of the book will support the chapter's community service projects. Books are available for purchase through the chapter at 982-5447.

Rebecca Austin chaired the chapter committee - Gail Lambert, Nancy Canova, Barbara Canfield and Jeanne Dooley - that wrote the book.

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