Governor McAuliffe Celebrates New Initiative to Support State Parks

Fall in Sky Meadows State Park in Virginia, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe hosted a strategic planning session today in Richmond for the Partnership for Parks campaign founded by the Virginia Association for Parks and the Garden Club of Virginia.  The Partnership for Parks was formed to raise private funding to design, build and install new interpretive exhibits in more than a dozen state park visitor centers.  The partners recognize that the goal of exhibits is to educate, entertain and inspire park visitors. 

More than 30 people from across the Commonwealth came to Richmond to chart a strategic plan for completing this effort by the year 2020.  More than $5 million will be needed for the campaign. 

At a luncheon following the meeting, Governor McAuliffe said, “Our state parks are treasures enjoyed by more than 9 million visitors a year and they are places where Virginians and visitors to Virginia go to enhance their mental and physical health and well being. The installation of these new exhibits will improve the experience of the many visitors to our state parks, increase knowledge of our natural and cultural heritage and make Virginia an even more attractive place for tourism, a key element of our efforts to build and sustain a new Virginia economy.  My thanks to the partnership for helping to make this happen”

Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward introduced Mrs. McAuliffe as an advocate for childhood issues, including quality education, access to healthy foods and the availability of close to home outdoor recreation. Mrs. McAuliffe addressed the group and spoke about the importance of reaching children with the modern technology that they have become accustomed to using  an average  of eight hours a day. “If we want to make outdoor recreation a lifelong part of a healthy lifestyle, experts tell us these habits must be developed early in life,” said Mrs. McAuliffe. The partnership has already designed an exhibit in collaboration with our state parks titled “Outdoor Challenge” that is a state-of-the-art, high tech, interactive multimedia experience intended to engage youth particularly and everyone else regardless of age in life enhancing outdoor recreation in our parks.  

If we also want the millennial generation to understand the stewardship responsibility we all have as citizens, then that too needs to be communicated early.  If students understand the connectivity between ourselves and everything else in our environment, they will appreciate the balance that must be maintained,” Mrs. McAuliffe stated.

Johnny Finch, president of the Virginia Association for Parks and Jeanette Cadwallender, president of the Garden Club of Virginia, expressed their appreciation that the Governor and First Lady are supporting the Partnership for Parks.  “It may be years before the state’s budget improves enough to address funding for state parks.  Our state parks are among America’s best, but simply maintaining and staffing them has been a challenge for the state.  We believe the Partnership for Parks campaign is essential to keeping our parks relevant and exciting for visitors young and old alike. Our parks are good for people, good for the environment and are vital to our economy. Tourism is an important part of our economy and our parks are a centerpiece of our tourism infrastructure. To have the support from the McAuliffes strengthens this volunteer effort.” stated the two state leaders. 

For more information about the Partnership for Parks visit www.VAParks.net.

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Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and Virginia Association of Broadcasters Launch ‘Feeding Virginia’

Beans and Bacon (Photo credit: coolmikeol)

RICHMOND, VA- This week, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters launched Feeding Virginia, a year-long campaign against hunger. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership between a state’s First Family and all members of a state broadcast association.

Feeding Virginia is a year-long hunger awareness campaign benefitting all seven regional food banks across the Commonwealth by raising funds and increasing donations of food. The campaign will begin July 1and will be supported by more than 150 local radio and television stations across Virginia, in collaboration with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.

The First Lady will serve as the spokesperson for the campaign and she and Governor Terry McAuliffe will work with the VAB to promote Feeding Virginia. Together they will appear in a variety of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) supporting the program in the coming year.

“The Governor and I are passionate about making sure all Virginians have access to healthy meals and are supported in their times of need,” said Mrs. McAuliffe.  “I truly believe that collaborations like this are what it takes to solve challenges facing our communities and our economy and I commend the VAB for taking on this campaign to help end hunger in the Commonwealth.”

The campaign will begin with VAB member stations airing PSAs throughout the summer to raise awareness of the summer meals service. 

The federal summer meals program helps low-income children get the healthy food they need when school is out.  These free, healthy meals are available to children and teens age 18 and under, but in Virginia, only 17.6 percent of children who receive a free or reduced-price lunch during the school year are participating in the summer meals program. 

PSAs being run on local television and radio stations will let families know to text ‘Food’ to 877-877 or dial 1-866-3HUNGRY to locate the closest summer feeding site. 

In the months ahead VAB member radio and television stations will promote and support Feeding Virginia through news coverage, promotion of local food bank events, and the airing of Public Service Announcements designed to generate funds, food, and awareness across the state.

The Lynchburg News and Advance recently ran an article highlighting the federal summer meals service and discussed the importance of children receiving the healthy foods they need in summer months when school is out.  The full text of the article can be read here:

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/chasing-away-the-hunger-pangs-of-summer/article_da58c7e6-f9ad-11e3-863c-0017a43b2370.html

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Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, USDA Officials, Hampton Roads Leaders Kick Off Summer Meals Service

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, USDA Officials, Hampton Roads Leaders Kick Off Summer Meals Service and Announce PSA Campaign in Partnership with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters

Norfolk School District Recognized for Summer Meals Efforts

Norfolk, VA –A cafeteria full of students, parents and educators welcomed Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and other officials to Coleman Place Elementary School today to officially kick off the start of the Summer Food Service Program in Virginia.

The First Lady also announced on Thursday a partnership with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters to run a year-long, hunger awareness campaign benefitting all seven regional food banks across the Commonwealth.  The campaign will begin by running Public Service Announcements throughout the summer on local television and radio stations across the state to raise awareness of the summer meals service.

The federal summer meals program helps low-income children get the healthy food they need when school is out. These free, healthy meals are available to children and teens ages 18 and under, but in Virginia, only 17.6 percent of children who receive a free or reduced-price lunch during the school year are participating in the summer meals program.

“For many children, summer is a time for friends, vacations, and carefree days in the sun. But for the millions of children and families who rely on school breakfast and lunch for meals, the summer months are a time of stress, anxiety and hunger when those meals disappear,” First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe said. “We are working with community partners and state agencies to help connect more kids with free meals this summer than ever before, and I am thrilled that the Virginia Broadcasters Association has offered to help raise awareness of this vital program.”

Also in attendance at the event were Congressman Bobby Scott, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Dr. Janey Thornton, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Norfolk Superintendent of Schools Samuel King, and Fuel Up to Play 60 Ambassador, Everette Brown, who led the students in a fun physical activity.  June 5th was also officially recognized in Virginia as the kickoff to the Summer Food Service Program through a proclamation signed by Governor Terry McAuliffe.

“Research shows a lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins,” USDA’s Dr. Janey Thornton commented. “We must do all we can to ensure that children get nutritious food year-round so that they are ready to learn during the school year and have greater opportunities for success.”

Mrs. McAuliffe, USDA officials, and the Virginia Departments of Health, Social Services, and Education have been coordinating with local partners to reach more children at risk of hunger by helping to promote school district participation in summer meals service and by coordinating outreach efforts to raise awareness of the program to families. These combined efforts have already produced significant increases in summer meal participation. Last year, 134 sponsors hosted 1,570 sites across the Commonwealth. This year, more than 170 sponsor applications have been submitted, including a 20 percent increase in participating school districts (48 to 58).

At today’s event, the First Lady also recognized the Norfolk School District for being a “Summer Meals Champion,” and presented School Nutrition Director, Helen Phillips, with a plaque and certificate. This will be Norfolk Public Schools' third year as a sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program. In 2013, NPS' School Nutrition Department managed 54 sites, and served 5,500 meals daily. Norfolk was among the largest sponsors in the state in 2013.

"Healthy, well-fed children are ready to learn," said Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Samuel T. King. "Our School Nutrition Department understands this, and that department has worked tirelessly with state and federal agencies to ensure that children in Norfolk have access year round to foods of the very best quality and nutritional value. The Summer Food Service Program is a crucial part of that effort for Norfolk's children and families."

Efforts to raise awareness of the summer meals program in Virginia have included:  

·         First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe addressed a letter to School Superintendents across the Commonwealth asking them to consider providing summer meals in their communities

·         The Department of Social Services is coordinating with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to promote summer meals program in 120 Social Services offices across Virginia

·         Outreach to local libraries has led to an increase in both summer meals awareness and the creation of several new summer service sites to be hosted at libraries across the state

·         Targeted Facebook ads will reach an audience of over 360,000 Virginians, informing them about a text service that connects families to summer meal sites in their area. Families can text ‘Food’ to 877-877, call 211, or dial 1-866-3 HUNGRY to locate the closest summer feeding site

Our Notes: If you can figure out what the above really means, and how it may but probably won't help you, by all means, let everyone else know.  It sounds more like a non working solutions that only sounds good to those who have set up the service than those who could potentially benefit from it.  A different thought would be to increase the food benefits to those who have the need?  Wait, that would actually make sense now would it not?  Another government solution with no meaning and your tax dollars hard at work against you?

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Mason Neck State Park Named One of ‘America’s Favorite Parks’

Mason Neck (Photo credit: vastateparksstaff)

Governor and First Lady McAuliffe join Virginia park-goers to celebrate the park’s rec

ognition and kick off statewide outdoor challenge made possible by a $50,000 grant from Coca-Cola

Lorton, VA, May 21, 2014 – Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe joined Virginia park-goers to celebrate Mason Neck State Park’s designation as one of “America’s Favorite Parks” as part of the Coca-Cola Company’s America Is Your Park campaign. The Governor and First Lady also launched a new outdoor challenge at Mason Neck to encourage visitors to enjoy their stay at the park and get active at the same time. Coca-Cola awarded Mason Neck the second-place prize, a $50,000 recreation grant which will be used for the challenge that was launched today.

“Virginia’s state parks are a tremendous economic asset for the Commonwealth and a great resource for Virginians who want to get outdoors and get active this summer. On behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I want to thank Coca-Cola for supporting our parks and encouraging people to get active outdoors,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Our thanks also go to those who voted for Mason Neck and particularly the Friends of Mason Neck State Park who organized a vigorous and successful get-out-the vote campaign.”

Mason Neck earned more than 278,000 votes through the support of park-goers who helped the park finish second in Coca-Cola’s America Is Your Park campaign by logging their daily fitness activities and rallying the local community to support the park.  The first-place winner was Veteran’s Memorial Park in Moore, Okla., which the city is rebuilding after the park was devastated by a tornado that hit the town last year.

“Through the Coca-Cola America Is Your Park campaign, our goal was to inspire people across the country to rediscover the joy of being active outdoors at their favorite park,” said Brendan Walshe, East Region Sales Operations Vice President, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “To continue encouraging Virginians to get active, Coca-Cola is partnering with Virginia State Parks to launch their Outdoor Challenge.”

Mason Neck developed interactive displays that educate park guests about ways to be active at the park and the health advantages of recreating outdoors. Challenge participants also will be able to track the calories they burn and other health benefits they accrue as they get active at the park.

The Outdoor Challenge is designed for all ages, providing activities geared for kids, teens, adults and seniors.  The challenges are also divided into easy, moderate and difficult categories. 

“Visiting our Virginia State Parks can be a fun and rewarding part of maintaining active, healthy lifestyles,” said Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “I particularly like that this challenge can be tailored to family members of all ages.”

Mason Neck is the first state park to launch the Outdoor Challenge.  Virginia State Parks plans to roll out the challenge at every state park across the Commonwealth.

Joe Elton, Deputy Director for Operations for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation continued, “In the modern age, we have all become dependent on electronic devices. We’re now using that same technology to educate, entertain and inspire people about our natural and cultural treasures and showcase the fun, health and well being benefits of outdoor recreation. We’re really fighting fire, with fire.”

The Virginia State Park system is managed by DCR.

The recreational grant from Coca-Cola is just a first step in the development of the statewide outdoor challenge. The Virginia Association for Parks, a statewide nonprofit organization that supports state and national parks in Virginia, is undertaking a fundraising effort for visitor center displays across the state. For more information on the campaign go to www.virginiaparks.org.

Governor McAuliffe and First Lady To Open Executive Mansion in Celebration of Virginia Historic Garden Week

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe today announced that the Virginia’s Executive Mansion and its gardens will be open to visitors on Tuesday, April 29^th in celebration of Virginia Historic Garden Week.  Built in 1813 as a residence for Virginia’s governors, the mansion is the oldest in continuous use in the United States. Included in the walk-through tour will be the first floor public rooms featuring floral arrangements especially created for the occasion the backyard garden designed by noted landscape architect, Charles Gillette; and the rarely viewed North walled garden.

“It is our pleasure to welcome guests into the oldest occupied governor’s mansion in the United States,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Executive Mansion has served as the residence for Virginia governors and their families for more than 200 years, and we are excited to share that history with our fellow Virginians in celebration of Virginia Historic Garden Week.”

First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe said, “The Governor and I are thrilled to welcome visitors to the Mansion and to offer them the opportunity to explore its beautiful gardens.  This celebration of Garden Week is an ideal occasion for us to open the doors to this magnificent home, which is truly the people’s house, and to provide the public a chance to learn more about its rich history.”

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Event is free. Reservations are not required. 

Parking: A limited number of metered public parking spaces (2 hours) are located on the west side of 10th Street, between Main and Bank Streets; on Bank Street, between Governor and 14th Streets; on the south side of Main Street, between 9th and 12th Streets; and on 12th Street between Main and Bank Streets. Garage parking is available at St. Paul’s deck on 8^th and Grace for $5.00.

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