Sherri Conner and Morgan Holt from HumanKind join Megan Huffman to talk about their organization, programs, volunteer opportunities, and impact provided to the community through their programs supported in part by the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation.

John Naples from Children's Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.) joins Megan Huffman on the podcast.

C.A.T.S. helps children with physical, neurological, and developmental disabilities that affect movement, behavior, or communication have better health outcomes; participate more fully in school; engage socially; and achieve greater independence. We do this by providing families and caregivers with access to adaptive and mobility equipment; educating pediatric clinicians, teachers, and caregivers; and promoting responsive and responsible public health policy.

We have distributed over 9500 pieces of adaptive equipment to over 8000 children, saving their families an estimated $14 million since 2014.

https://atdevicesforkids.org/

Jennifer Sittason from Wild Ones Greater Lynchburg Area joins Megan Huffman on the podcast.

The mission of Wild Ones Greater Lynchburg Area Chapter is to promote native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action.

Wild Ones Chapters are a space where like-minded people gather to support each other in learning about landscaping with native plants and to share with others in their communities and networks about why it’s important to reintroduce native plants into public and private gardens and how to go about doing it.

Local chapters are where change happens and we are excited to offer an opportunity for members to expand their knowledge and impact in the natural landscaping movement.

https://greaterlynchburgarea.wildones.org/

• In collaboration with BEE City Lynchburg, offer free native plant garden designs for varying sun and soil conditions.
• Funded and planted native plant demonstration gardens at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center, New Vistas School, and James River Day School.
• Facilitated mosquito dunk education to groups at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, Lynchburg Humane Society and Claytor Nature Center.

Ms. Perry Payne Millner, Executive Director of Opera on the James joins Megan Huffman on the podcast.

Opera on the James is a leader in attracting and captivating our region’s growing and diverse audiences by offering a broad range of quality performances and programs that celebrate the beauty, power and primacy of the human voice.

https://www.operaonthejames.org/

Realization of our Mission and Vision Through…

Nurturing and Developing Talent We provide the best training and performance opportunities as we engage, encourage and develop the next generation of aspiring vocal artists, with emphasis on nurturing local talent.

Community Service We serve our region by growing and enhancing its rich tapestry of civic and cultural assets, as we work collaboratively with partners in arts, business and academia.

Fiscal Strength and Stewardship We are committed to our fiscal health and to be dedicated financial stewards of the Company, within the community and to all our funding sources.

Creativity and Storytelling We strive to become preeminent in delivering new and relevant content as we share stories that matter to our communities, through our performances, outreach and educational experiences.

Commitment We work to accomplish our goals at the highest level of integrity and innovation, with passion, enthusiasm, collaboration and inclusivity.

• We celebrate the primacy of the human voice through professional productions at the Academy Center and locations around central Virginia.
• Our Tyler Young Artists reach some 8,000 central Virginians each year, through performances in schools, libraries and community centers across the region.
• We are proud residents of Lynchburg's thriving downtown arts corridor, and are committed to

Beverly Blair and Ellen Nygaard from Lynchburg Public Library and the Friends of Lynchburg Public Library join Megan Huffman on the podcast!

Our goal is to support the vital services and programs provided by the Lynchburg Public Library. The Lynchburg Public Library provides free services to all residents living within the City of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties. Since the establishment of the Lynchburg Public Library in 1966, the Friends have promoted literacy, advocated for the development of library services, encouraged community support, and funded projects to support library services by providing equipment, materials and programs.

https://lynchburgpubliclibrary.org/

https://lynchburgpubliclibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/

Jenna Foster Executive Director of the Amherst County Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc joins Megan Huffman on the podcast!

The Amherst County Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc. (ACPSEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing education for the students and teachers of Amherst County. The Foundation's goal is to secure resources from the community by raising awareness of the importance of education and developing partnerships with local businesses. With these resources, the Foundation enriches many classrooms by providing items not traditionally funded within the annual school budget.

The ACPS Education Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in mini-grant funds to support innovative classrooms and creative learning thus far!

Over $30,000 in scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors from ACHS!

Each year, the ACPS Education Foundation hosts three exciting events: a Golf Tournament, Back-to-School Raffle and Student Showcase Luncheon!

https://www.acpseducationfoundation.org/

Ken Arpino Executive Director of Wolfbane Productions joins Megan Huffman on the podcast!

Founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Dustin Williams, Wolfbane Productions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization bringing award-winning professional theatre, premium arts education, and community-driven advocacy programs to our underserved region of rural Central Virginia. Located in historic Appomattox, Wolfbane was created with the singular belief that high-quality theatre should be accessible to all people, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. Outside of theatrical programming, we also offer free and low-cost family events, as well as community health initiatives whose services extend to all members of our community.

https://www.wolfbane.org/

Donna Vincent Executive Director of Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity talks with Megan Huffman about their organization and how the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation has impacted Habitat within our community.

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, yet for thousands of families in the Lynchburg area, housing instability — increasing housing costs, frequent moves, and the threat of eviction or foreclosure — creates stress, depression, and hopelessness.

At Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, we work with volunteers, donors, and partners to rally around families within our community and help them build and own a home they can feel proud of and secure in. Families are able to get access to the resources, education, and skills they need to be independent, successful homeowners.

We do not build houses. We build homes, communities, and hope! Our greatest need right now is regular construction volunteers to help build the homes with the Habitat families.

https://www.lynchburghabitat.org/