The Spirit of Virginia was on full display on Friday, May 9th, as more than 45 volunteers from every corner of the Commonwealth gathered in Taylors Valley for an action day of recovery and renewal. Organized by the Governor’s Outreach Team under the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Taylors Valley Volunteer Action Day matched neighbors, businesses, faith groups, and public officials with families still rebuilding from last fall’s devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. Local station WCYB-TV reported the day-long event, spotlighting the Commonwealth-wide collaboration that powered the rebuilding push. 

Work began first thing in the morning and didn’t slow until evening. Volunteers landscaped the community center and eight private homes, planted more than 300 flowers and vegetables, spread 250 pounds of grass seed, restored the veterans’ memorial, and established a new community garden. Inside two of the hardest-hit houses, teams installed cabinets, appliances, fresh countertops, and a mountain of donated furniture, then set up a “leave-a-book/take-a-book” library for literary lovers. A “Mercy Mall” filled with Amazon-donated household goods allowed residents to choose everything from furniture and bedding to cookware at no cost. 

None of it would have been possible without an outpouring of generosity from across the Commonwealth. Over $15,000 worth of supplies and resources were donated for the day’s activities. Richmond-based businesses included RC Transfer, which hauled truckloads of supplies into the valley, and Richmond Toolbox who donated two handmade planter benches. Sandy’s Plants of Mechanicsville donated 200 gallon-size perennials; Crosscreek Nursery of Short Pump donated 10 three-gallon abelia plants; Saluda based Campbell Construction built and donated the Leave-a-Book/Take-a-Book Library; Spectrum Paint of Fredericksburg supplied 35 five-gallon buckets of paint; Niagara Water of Chesterfield shipped over two thousand bottles; the Virginia Crime Prevention Association assembled over $10,000 worth of Amazon donated furniture; and locally in Southwest Virginia Big Jake’s Garden, Tractor Supply, Dunkin’ Donuts, Walmart, Food City, and several others underwrote vegetable plants, tools, snacks, and drinks. Grant County Mulch in West Virginia sent a tractor trailer load of mulch. Midday burgers and hotdogs came courtesy of Creeper Trail Café owners Beth and Steve Mann, paid for by Barry Moore and his directory of accredited Richmond area businesses through the Better Business Bureau, while Patriotic Pitmaster BBQ of Abingdon served a community-wide dinner sponsored by Senator Todd Pillion and Delegate Israel O’Quinn after both legislators spent the afternoon planting grass alongside residents. Congressman Morgan Griffith also stopped by to thank the crews.

Local leaders felt the impact immediately. “For me, the Adopt-a-Family Action Day in Taylors Valley was the fulfillment of a dream. It was my joy to see each household that was impacted by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene, connected with a caring church, business or individual who came in this special day to serve the ongoing needs following the flood. Community members working together with government officials and volunteers. Teams and families eating together, laughing and celebrating the restoration of the village. This is what recovery looks like,” said John Coleman Pastor of Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren. Community-center President Janet Bowling called the event “a true example of the love, kindness, and compassion from neighbors and friends who cared enough to help us make Taylors Valley better than it was before the flood.” 

“The volunteer efforts during our Taylors Valley Action Day reflect the very best of the Spirit of Virginia,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Gee. “Individuals, businesses, and organizations gave their time and treasure to turn recovery into renewal. I am inspired by every hand that worked and by the resilience of Southwest Virginia.” 

Those interested in future community engagement and service opportunities can sign up with the Governor’s Outreach Team here.