HJ935: Commending A Simple Gesture - Reston.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 935
Commending the Nottoway County Literacy Program.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2017
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2017

 

WHEREAS, the Nottoway County Literacy Program has provided free, one-on-one tutoring to help low-literacy adults and non-English speakers succeed in academics and their careers and become more productive members of the community; and

WHEREAS, the Nottoway County Literacy Program was established in the fall of 1987 as a result of a statewide literacy initiative by then First Lady Jeannie P. Baliles and Mark Emblidge of the Virginia Literacy Foundation; and

WHEREAS, with the help of Martha Hall of Longwood College, now Longwood University, and Anne Paige Hurt, the Nottoway County librarian, the Nottoway County Literacy Board was formed, with Ruth Walker as its first director; and

WHEREAS, the Nottoway County Literacy Program provides free, confidential tutoring on pre-GED preparation, English as a Second Language classes, citizenship classes, computer literacy, driver’s license and commercial driver’s license preparation, or literacy related to everyday tasks, such as writing a check or reading prescription medications; and

WHEREAS, throughout its 30-year history, the Nottoway County Literacy Program has been ably led by Mary Crank, John Witt, the Reverend James Pittman, Joe Duarte, Robin Sapp, and Sally Crager; the program also maintains a proud tradition of cooperation with local partners to provide efficient and effective services; and

WHEREAS, since 1987, the Nottoway County Literacy Program has trained more than 140 volunteer tutors, who have strengthened the community by donating more than 13,600 hours of service to help 170 adult learners; and

WHEREAS, the Nottoway County Literacy Program will commemorate its 30th anniversary on September 28, 2017, during National Literacy Month; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Nottoway County Literacy Program on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sally Crager, director of the Nottoway County Literacy Program, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the program’s work to promote and foster adult literacy in Nottoway County.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 935

Offered February 12, 2019
Commending A Simple Gesture - Reston.
Patron-- Plum

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston, a program founded by Bob Schnapp that collects and distributes food to members of the community in need, was honored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones, Inc., with a prestigious 2019 Cornerstones of Our Community Best of Reston Award; and

WHEREAS, the Best of Reston awards honor individuals, organizations, and companies that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to helping others and improving the lives of people throughout the Greater Reston area; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston, was started by Bob Schnapp, a longtime resident of Reston who has served in the United States Department of Energy as an economist for over 35 years, and held other leadership positions in national and international energy agencies; the A Simple Gesture program originally started in California and because of its simplicity and positive mission has been replicated in many communities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, residents who participate in A Simple Gesture - Reston get a green tote bag which they fill up with nonperishable foods over a two-month period; on the first Saturday of every other month, participants simply place the bag outside their front door, then volunteer drivers pick up the bags and deliver the food to area pantries to help those in need; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Bob Schnapp has supported Reston in many ways, including as a sports coach, a cluster officer, and a volunteer on many community projects; however, his efforts establishing A Simple Gesture - Reston have taken his commitment to Reston to a new level; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston started in June 2015 with funding from the Shoreshim of Reston congregation, and later the Giving Circle of Hope and the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, collecting food from just 20 families with a miniscule budget and no advertising, expanding only through word-of-mouth and the continued generosity of volunteers; and

WHEREAS, A Simple Gesture - Reston has now grown to over 870 bi-monthly donors and more than 50 drivers, collecting 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of food each time they go out to support the Cornerstones and LINK food banks, as well as food pantries organized by St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and the South Lakes High School PTSA; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend A Simple Gesture - Reston, founded by Bob Schnapp, for its work to alleviate hunger in the community and on the well-deserved honor as a 2019 Best of Reston award recipient; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to A Simple Gesture - Reston as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the program’s enduring commitment to making Reston a special place to live, work, and play.