ReNew The New Local Committee Receives State Recognition

Giles County, VA- Earlier in November members of the local ReNew The New Committee from Giles County traveled to York County, Virginia for the annual Soil and Water Conservation Society awards ceremony. Nominated by the New River Valley Regional Commission the local committee was awarded the 2016 Merit Award “for their successful partnership to improve the health of the New River through organized cleanup activities” at the gathering.

The ReNew the New committee develops multiple events a year to clean sections of the New River. Photo by Alisa Moody.

The nomination letter included compliments to the local committee and Giles County for the regional success of the river cleanup held on August 27, 2016. The nominating application shared that “it successfully brought together groups representing industry, advocacy, government, students, youth, and the public” allowing for a positive impact on towards a “common cause,” the continued cleanup and awareness efforts of the New River.

For the past ten years ReNew The New has hosted two annual clean ups. A spring event focuses on roadways or river access points and is referred to as Ramps-N-Roads. The 2016 event held in Giles again brought record crowds and continues to be a popular community event along the New River Water Trail. In the early fall the popular Fall into the New event gets volunteers onto the water to clean up various sections of waterway. This year the entire New River Valley region was involved and for that effort, received this award.

On August 27 volunteers from Floyd, Pulaski, Montgomery, and Giles County, as well as the City of Radford joined together at Bisset Park to clean up a 10-mile section up and down river of Dudley’s Landing. The event brought together the communities and over 450 volunteers and successfully removed over two tons of debris from the river. This effort has “improved the environment through the clean-up of the region’s main water source; it united a group of volunteers representing a variety of backgrounds and interests and it educated the public about the importance of the New River to the region” as stated in the nomination application.

The award was presented to committee member Paul Moody at the recent event and has been presented to the local ReNew the New Committee with much appreciation. The 2017 event details are still being developed, but the Merit Award and regional attention have garnered more awareness for the New River and the efforts to maintain and improve the important waterway. For more information on the ReNew the New activities please visit their website at http://renewthenew.org/ or http://virginiasmtnplayground.com/.

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For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.

Program Leaders Boast about ACCE

Dr. Lewis Webb who serves on the NRCC Educational Foundation, the local Giles ACCE Development Committee, and supported the Muddy ACCE Race event speaks at the Appreciation Dinner where students and guests shared success stories of the program.

Giles County- The holiday season is here and many students, out of high school, are enjoying their semester breaks. Whether students complete their journey in higher education at New River Community College or use their experience there as a step in their educational adventure, the Access to Community College program in Giles County is helping students and families along the way. Every month we bring you a story of someone involved in the ACCE program or the very popular Muddy ACCE Race event. The 2017 MAR is slated for September 16, 2017 along the banks of the New River Water Trail in the western part of Giles County. This month we chat with one of the people pivotal to the committee and program, Dr. Lewis Webb. Read on for his story.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A: “Practiced Dentistry in Narrows (35 yrs), Served on Giles County School Board (27 yrs), former member of NRCC College Board (8 yrs), presently serving on the New River Community College Educational Foundation Board.”

Q: How did you participate in the ACCE Program? Where you a runner, sponsor, student, parent, spectator? A: I “served on the ACCE Development Committee [and also] sponsored my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in the Muddy ACCE Race 2016.” Dr. Webb was also on-hand the day of the event as a spectator and cheerleader for the participants at the first annual event.

Q: Why did you get involved with the Muddy ACCE Race? A: “Have been involved with the Access to Community College Education Program at NRCC since its inception and worked with Giles County planning the Muddy ACCE Race.”

Q: What is the one thing you’ll take away from the Muddy ACCE Race event? A: “2 THINGS! How well organized the race was and the course was spectacular!”

Q: If you could share a sentiment to those considering the program- what would you tell them? A: “The ACCE Program opens doors to many students who otherwise may not be able to attend college. For some it is a life changing event. As I always say, this program is a triple win; certainly a win for the students, a win for NRCC, and a big win for Giles County!”

If you are interested in learning more about the NRCC ACCE program in Giles, please visit www.gilescounty.org. For more information on the 2017 Muddy ACCE Race, www.muddyaccerace.com.