Community Notebook: WCHF Awards Healthcare Heroes, Booklet Lists Volunteer Opportunities

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation has recognized the Chronic Care Collaborative with its Healthcare Heroes Award. The Youth Resources Booklet outlines opportunities for students to volunteer in the area. And artists should start gathering their slides together to enter the Junior Woman’s Club’s Art on the Square, which has a deadline of Nov. 21. Read on for more details.

WCHF Announces 2011 Healthcare Heroes Award

The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation announced Tuesday it has given its 2011 Healthcare Heroes award to the Chronic Care Collaborative, an effort by local nonprofit health care providers to stem the impact of chronic diseases. The award, given annually since 1999, recognizes outstanding contributions to community health.

The six agencies participating in the Collaborative will each receive $2,500. The agencies are: Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic; Colonial Behavioral Health; The Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic; Lackey Free Clinic; Olde Towne Medical Center; Rx Partnership.

The Collaborative was formed in 2006 as the impact of chronic disease on health in the region was becoming apparent. This year Collaborative agencies will help more than 5,000 uninsured and underinsured patients in the region manage their chronic conditions. The Collaborative was one of the nation’s first attempts to address chronic illnesses.

Master Gardeners Host Diagnostic Clinics

The Williamsburg-James City County Master Gardeners are holding Diagnostic Clinics from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Monday through Oct. 10 at the VCE Office at 3127 Forge Road in Toano.

The public is invited to bring in samples of weeds, pests and/or disease damage for free identification and treatment recommendations. For more information, call (757) 220-8083 or click here.

Youth Resource Booklet Outlines Volunteering Opportunities

Students of all ages hoping to volunteer in the Williamsburg community can pick up NetworkWilliamsburg’s 2011/2012 Youth Resource Booklet, a guide to opportunities in the Historic Triangle.

This year, the booklet features 26 nonprofits. The volunteering opportunities are organized by the time of year, type of opportunity, field of interest, age requirements and more.

The booklet has been produced for three years. View it here.

Lecture Series Examines Archaeological Discoveries of Settlers from Three Countries

The 2011 Historic Jamestowne Lecture Series reveals the latest discoveries of early explorers and settlers from Spain, France and England. Each of the one-hour lectures begins at 5:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

On Oct. 11, Gregory Waselkov will present “Old Mobile Archaeology and French Colonization of the American Gulf Coast.” Waselkov is director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama.

On Oct. 25, William Kelso will present “Jamestown Lost and Found: New Discoveries at the 1607 James Fort.” Kelso is director of archaeological research and interpretation at the Jamestown Rediscovery Project.

Tickets are $12 for each lecture. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-HISTORY.

Homecoming at James River Baptist Church

James River Baptist Church is celebrating Homecoming 2011 on Sunday, with the theme, “A Glimpse of the Past and Hope for the Future.” The service will feature special music and guests, followed by a dinner on the grounds.

The day will begin with Sunday School from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., then a Homecoming Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Multi-ministry building featuring pastor Scott Salsman and Rev. Bruce Pratt, senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Henrico. Find more information about the special service here or call (757) 258-0303.

Botany Program for Children on Oct. 15

Children can learn the anatomy of bulbs, their history and a lesson in climate from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden in Freedom Park.

The free program, “Journey North with Red Emperor Tulips,” will have children plant the species of tulip and post their locations online. In the spring, the tulips will bloom, showing children how spring arrives in different parts of the country. Contact Barb Dunbar for information and to register for the program at twotac@cox.net or at (757) 880-8875.

Junior Woman’s Club Calls for Artists

The Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg will host the 49th annual Art On the Square on April 29, 2012 in Merchants Square.

The proceeds of the art show are donated to visual and performing arts organizations within Williamsburg. Proceeds also go towards Fine Art Scholarships for students pursuing education in the visual and/or performing arts.

The juried show has 160 spaces available. To apply, please send a completed application form, three slides or photographs representative of your current work and a $35 application fee no later than Nov. 21. For more information and to download the application form, click here.