Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. Celebrates Contributions of Volunteers
On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI) held a Volunteer Appreciation event at one of Culpeper’s gems, Old House Vineyards. CRI volunteers gathered in celebration of their hard work and dedication to our community. Those in attendance enjoyed a bevy of appetizers, spirits, and good company.
CRI is a 501c3 charitable organization charged with supporting the growth and vitality of Culpeper’s historic commercial district. Downtown Culpeper is a designated Virginia Main Street Community and CRI is the organization designated by the state and the Town of Culpeper to carry out Main Street activities.
Volunteers donate time, talents, and energy to make a positive impact on the Culpeper community. In fact, volunteers have donated a total of 56,387 hours through CRI special events, programs, and downtown improvement projects since 2008. This equates to a value of $1,251,100 of volunteer time invested in our community.
CRI Board President, Tish Smyth states, “As we see the promotion of downtown Culpeper grow through CRI, we know that we can only be successful through our wonderful volunteers! Thank you to each and every one that has given time, talent and monetarily to CRI.”
Each year CRI carefully selects a Champion of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Partner of the Year. These individuals were highlighted and celebrated at the annual CRI Volunteer Appreciation event.
The Partner of the Year Award highlights CRI’s community partners. This year the Culpeper County Economic Development and Be A Culpeper Local program received the Partner of the Year award for their commitment to our community and partnership with CRI. Accepting the award was Culpeper County Economic Development Business Development Coordinator, Winona Pritts, administrator of Culpeper County’s Be A Culpeper Local Program. Culpeper County Economic Development has been a strong supporter of CRI and a partnering entity for the good of our community’s economic health. They have graciously been a sponsor for many of CRI’s events and have gone above and beyond in making our community aware of the importance of Being a Culpeper Local in all aspects of daily life.
Appreciative of CRI’s great working partnership, Winona Pritts shared, “The Culpeper County Department of Economic Development is thrilled to provide a spotlight for Culpeper businesses, and to continue to support the departments mission to strengthen our community.”
The Champion of the Year Award recognizes the efforts of one individual who has supported CRI and worked in making downtown a destination for locals and visitors alike. This year Brian Lam, owner of Collage Spa received CRI’s Champion of the Year award. Mr. Lam became a property owner and opened his sister business on the second floor of his building in downtown Culpeper in June of 2020. In November 2020 he expanded his business to include the ground floor. He continuously supports the Main Street program and has offered not only his building, and a personal monetary donation; but also, additional funding through an awarded grant for the “The Trailblazers” mural project which was completed this past month. As Brian Lam was not able to make it to the evening’s celebrations, Collage Spa’s Manager Mellissa Smith-Ritenour accepted the award on his behalf.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes one individual selected from among all our volunteers for their selfless commitment to outstanding volunteerism. This year Skip Price, owner of Village Frameworks & Art Gallery, and longtime CRI Board member received CRI’s Volunteer of the Year award. Mr. Price has been involved with CRI since 2015. He has served on the CRI Board of Directors, CRI Finance, Organization, and Executive committees, has volunteered for many events, CRI special projects and has donated his talent of frame working. He is quick to help when needed and shares all the good work CRI does for our community.
CRI took this opportunity to acknowledge CRI’s former Special Events Coordinator for over the past 15 years, Melissa Vesuna. It is over these years that she has created a strong foundation for CRI’s events and special programs. She has taken old events and made them fresh and created new events and activities that our community has come to rely on for family friendly fun, such as the Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market, 3rd Thursday Summer Concert Series, Gnarly Culpeper Block Party, and Hop N Hog Block Party just to name a few. While the last couple of years have been particularly challenging, Missy Vesuna was able to apply for and receive grants to assist in the continued success of the Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market. It is her tenacity, quick wit and clear communication that gets things done. She is the gold standard for Special Events Coordinating and CRI will miss her tremendously but wish her the best as she shifts her focus to new and exciting ventures.
Missy Vesuna stated during the event, “Culpeper is a special place and is that way through the hard work and dedication of those that care so much about our community, CRI’s volunteers. Thank you all so much. I have enjoyed working alongside all of you.”
CRI gave a special recognition this year to outgoing CRI President, Tish Smyth. Ms. Smyth has gone above and beyond with her involvement in CRI. She has shown up in nearly every possible capacity for not only this organization, but for her community. She does not sit on the sidelines, rather she is the head coach and the star player. She joined the CRI Board of Directors in 2016, moved up to President Elect in 2017 and has served as President since 2018. As president, she has successful navigated CRI through a global pandemic, all while remaining full of her feisty energy. Whether you may have met her through serving beer at 3rd Thursday, while on a committee, at a ribbon cutting or perhaps during a town meeting, Mrs. Smyth selflessly gives of her time for the greater good of her community. When she has no more time to give, she still serves up volunteers in the form of her sons and husband. Her tireless efforts to always show CRI as a positive and forward moving non-profit organization is what has helped create a sense of spirit and pride within CRI. CRI has been blessed to have her commitment and leadership over these last years. We thank her for her many years of service and leadership as CRI Board President and for her continued commitment to our community.
CRI would like to recognize the Town of Culpeper who has supported CRI since our inception in 1987. The collaboration between the Town of Culpeper and Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. is what has made the success of our downtown possible. CRI thanks the many Town departments for all their hard work.
CRI would also like to thank Old House Vineyards for hosting the CRI Volunteer Appreciation event in their beautiful location.
CRI Executive Director, Jessica Jenkins states, “CRI is proud to acknowledge and show our appreciation for our amazing volunteers and partners whose selfless commitment and dedication is a testament to our community’s spirit. The most vibrant and resilient organizations are made up of individuals, coming together and sharing their unique strengths. I thank our volunteers and partners for giving of themselves for the benefit of our community.”
If you are interested in volunteering with Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. please contact the CRI office at 540-825-4416 or cridirector@culpeperdowntown.com. For more information visit www.culpeperdowntown.com
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up