Greater Richmond Winners of Allen & Allen HOMETOWN HEROES 2014 Award to be honored this Thursday night at Scotty McCreery Concert at Innsbrook After Hours
The personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen will honor winners of the 2014 Allen & Allen HOMETOWN HEROES award from the Central Virginia area this Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Scotty McCreery Concert at Innsbrook After Hours. The awards are in celebration of local acts of kindness and heroism. The law firm invites the community to come out and celebrate these extraordinary individuals.
“This is our favorite time of the year – a time to honor the citizens of the Commonwealth who define what it takes to be a true hero,” said Trent Kerns, President of Allen & Allen. “The annual Allen & Allen HOMETOWN HERO award is our way of thanking and celebrating with first responders, teachers, neighborhood leaders, and more.”
Nominations for the annual Allen & Allen HOMETOWN HEROES award were accepted from April 1, 2014 to May 23, 2014. The public was asked to complete a nomination form in honor of their favorite local hero responsible for generating positive and measurable change in the community or in their personal life. The award represents an annual tradition for the local law firm, having honored over 250 individuals since it was created in 2010.
“The winners of the 2014 Allen & Allen HOMETOWN HEROES represent what being a community is all about,” said Kerns. “For over 100 years Allen & Allen has been greatly inspired by the heroes around us – everyday people who spend their time and talent improving their communities.”
The selected HOMETOWN HEROES represent inspiration to Allen & Allen. They are firemen, policemen, neighborhood leaders, foster parents, disability advocates, teachers, small business owners, and more. Each of the local individuals selected represent a unique and inspiring story of giving in some capacity, either on a large scale or through small everyday acts of kindness. To read about each of the HOMETOWN HEROES visit www.allenandallen.com/hometown-heroes.
The winning 2014 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes include:
Garrett Adams – Chester
Beth Addington – Locust Grove
Eric Albert – Colonial Heights
Rex Atkinson – Glen Allen
Damien Banks – Charlottesville
Amber Berry – Richmond
Marsha Bishop – Richmond
Svondai Brown – Richmond
F. Tommy Carter – Maidens
William Carter – Richmond
Ted Chewning – Richmond
Sharon Clark – Culpeper
Eureka Collins – Virginia Beach
Deborah Craven – Kenbridge
Darian Davis – Colonial Heights
Ronnie and Linda Dawson – Lunenburg
Cecelia Garner – New Kent
Addison Garrett – Charlottesville
Camden Giroux – Mechanicsville
Karen Grimord – Stafford
Neveah Harrell – Charlottesville
Julie Hicks – Amelia
Daniel Holmes – Midlothian
Rachel Jones – Zion Crossroads
Marlow Jones, Sr. – Petersburg
David and Kathleen Kern – Midlothian
Carl Lawson – Fredericksburg
Gloria Lloyd – Fredericksburg
Shelby Long – Richmond
Shantell Malachi – Henrico
Bobby Martin – Chesterfield
Dr. Simi Massey – Chesterfield
Gloria Mitchell – Petersburg
Michelle Patton-Swisher – Spotsylvania
Walter Pennino – Fredericksburg
Belinda Piercy – Hopewell
Chana Ramsey – Hopewell
Roger Reynolds – Ashland
Ashton Ryan – Charlottesville
Jessica Spears – Richmond
J.D. Stamper – Tappahannock
Bruce Thacker – Charlottesville
Doris & Mack Thomas – Ruther Glen
John Tippett – Fredericksburg
Bob Toepfert – Palmyra
Victor and Carmen Torres – Richmond
Dempsey Whitt – Richmond
Todd Williams – Mechanicsville
Vivian Williamson – Petersburg
Lisa Worcester – Stafford
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In Memoriam: Robert B. Hughes III
Example bios from selected Greater Richmond winners
Rex Atkinson
Richmond, VA
During the school year, Rex serves as a popular teacher and coach at Binford Middle School. According to his nominator, “He gets results that other teachers want to get!” After the school year ends, this teacher becomes a sports camp director, bringing in major sports heroes, like Shaquille O’Neal, to meet the campers. He also helps children with the expense of going to camp. His concern for children in need continued when Rex also held a shoe drive for local kids.
Svondai Brown
Richmond, VA
“There aren’t many people left in this world that are as selfless as Svondai,” writes one of her many nominators. Svondai is known in the Richmond community for her annual Easter Egg Hunt, an event that has been open to the public for the past 5 years and garners over 200 people each year. Svondai uses her own funds for food, beverages, and activities each year despite facing personal health challenges. This year, Svondai could not host her community event due to a brain injury and seizures. Her community has rallied around her as evidenced by the outpouring of Hometown Hero nominations received.
Camden Giroux
Mechanicsville, VA
All of his life, 11-year-old Camden has given the money he’s received as gifts to the homeless. But two years ago, he started collecting coats and other items to give to those in need as well. Calling his program “Camden’s Cause,” he teamed up with the Daily Planet as their youth ambassador to show other kids that they can make a difference. In their joint efforts, Camden has visited the Daily Planet with his mom and in return, representatives from the Daily Planet have visited his school (Pole Green School) to teach students about the homeless population and how they can help. Pole Green School hosted a Camden’s Cause Week in his honor, collecting 300 pairs of socks.
Dempsey Whitt
Richmond, VA
Dempsey has served his country for over two decades, including 400 days in Afghanistan where he earned the Bronze Star Medal for acts of merit. Prior to Afghanistan, Dempsey served as Chief Flight Paramedic at PHI Air Medical. He has also served as a Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army. In addition to his service to his country, Dempsey impacts his community locally as the Director of Operations for Richmond Ambulance Authority. He continues to give back to those in need and is an advocate for his employees. He is an active member in his church and a dedicated runner with the VA National Guard Marathon team. “Dempsey is selfless, always caring, will give all he can give to anyone in need and seeks out ways to continuously give back,” writes his nominator.
