HJ936: Commending Touching Heart.
WHEREAS, Judy A. Brannock retired as executive director of the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2016, after 15 exemplary years of service to the Southwest Virginia business community; and
WHEREAS, the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce is a regional organization dedicated to improving the economic climate of the localities it represents: Carroll County, Grayson County, the City of Galax, and the Townships of Hillsville, Independence, and Fries; and
WHEREAS, through the dedication and diligent work of Judy Brannock, the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce created a stronger business community in the region by supporting industry, agriculture, tourism, and education in and around Carroll and Grayson Counties; and
WHEREAS, Judy Brannock’s activities as executive director were as varied as helping entrepreneurs write business plans, recruiting members, keeping the organization financially sound, and overseeing the annual Smoke on the Mountain state barbecue championship sponsored by the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, because of Judy Brannock’s guidance and leadership over the past 15 years, the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce has not only survived but thrived, even as many similar organizations in Southwest Virginia have closed their doors or consolidated due to economic hardship; and
WHEREAS, while Judy Brannock will miss her colleagues and all of the people she has worked with through the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce, in retirement she will enjoy spending more time with her family, especially her grandsons; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Judy A. Brannock on her retirement as executive director of the Twin County Regional Chamber of Commerce, after 15 exemplary years of service; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Judy A. Brannock as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her dedication to promoting economic growth and expanding tourism in Southwest Virginia.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 936
WHEREAS, Touching Heart, a Reston nonprofit with a mission to inspire children and fill their young hearts with love and compassion for one another through service projects, 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, Touching Heart was started in 2010 by Helen Yi and her then 13-year-old daughter, Taylor, who wanted to give to needier children instead of receiving gifts for her birthday that year asking her friends to give donations to charities instead; Taylor Yi is now a student at Boston University and serves on the organization’s board; and
WHEREAS, Taylor’s request reminded Yi of her grandmother, who took in and cared for over 100 orphan children during the turbulent Korean War; that inspiration to help neglected children without social support moved the mother - daughter duo to start Touching Heart; and
WHEREAS, the numerous Touching Heart volunteer activities include running fundraisers with local businesses, ordering and preparing food for children, seeking sponsors for fundraisers, organizing charity golf tournaments, and teaching children; children in the school program volunteer to pack lunches for local homeless shelters, such as the Embry Rucker Shelter, and make gifts of comfort for children in foster care; and
WHEREAS, since the founding of Touching Heart, over 500 local children have volunteered an estimated total of 2,200 volunteer hours, and approximately 125 adults have volunteered an estimated total of 875 hours; the organization's programs have donated $40,000 locally this year, and $92,000 since the beginning in 2010, to help community members in need; and
WHEREAS, Touching Heart has been recognized with awards for its philanthropic work including the Nonprofit of the Year Award from the Asian-American Business Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax County Corporate Volunteer Program Award; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Touching Heart for its work inspiring children and filling their young hearts with love and compassion for one another through service projects, and on its 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 Touching Heart as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its enduring commitment to make Reston a special place to live, work, and play.