Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.

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FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter

 

Campfire

Here's what we have been working on in the Roanoke mountains over the past months in 2009-2010:
 
Vinton Fall Festival, October 2009 -- We had 7 volunteers and 32 volunteer hours. We went to the festival in hopes of finding new Friends members and to bring awareness about our many programs we offer along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 
Macy’s Shop a Cause, October 2009 -- 5 volunteers gave 24 volunteer hours. We used this event for fundraising for our chapter and to bring awareness about our many programs we offer along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
 
Trail Maintenance 2009-2010 -- In these projects, we cleaned up litter, raked leaves, and repaired fences: October 2009, 6 volunteers for 18 volunteer hours; November 2009, 7 volunteers and 17.5 volunteer hours; March 2010, 11 volunteers and 33 volunteer hours; April 2010, 18 volunteers and 54 volunteer hours; June 2010, 4 volunteers and 12 volunteer hours. Total for Trail Maintenance = 46 volunteers and 134.50 volunteer hours.
 
Mature Tree Planting, November 2009 -- We had 50 volunteers and 250 volunteer hours. We worked with Community School and Hollins University students to plant 60 mature trees at milepost 121.1 to help shield a car dealership from the Parkway views.
 
Viewshed Tree Planting, March 2010 -- We had 142 volunteers and 1,000 volunteer hours, with the help of Kiwanis, Boy Scouts of America, and our community, we planted 525 seedlings at milepost 104.9. We partnered with HomeDepot who helped children to make bird houses and rain gauges. We provided an art tent, environment tent, and bluegrass music.
 
Blue Ridge Marathon, April 2010 -- We had 100 volunteers and 800 volunteer hours. This was a fundraiser for Parkway-requested programs along the Blue Ridge Parkway in our area and beyond. 
 
Roanoke Campground Cleanup, April 2010 -- We had 148 volunteers and 741.50 volunteer hours. Third through fifth grade students from Faith Christian Schools came out and cleaned up the campground to get it ready for opening. They cleared debris, raked, applied pea gravel to tent pads, and painted. They had chosen the Blue Ridge Parkway as their community service project.
 
Summary – We have undertaken numerous projects that help the Blue Ridge Parkway maintain its beauty for years to come. From July 2009 through June 2010, our total number of volunteers was 579, and our total number of volunteer hours was 3,283.5. These include planning meetings and administration hours for the Roanoke Chapter as well.
 
For more information about the Roanoke Valley Chapter, contact Regina Desper.