A crowd of more than 250 filled the Grand Hall inside the Higher Education Center in Abingdon to celebrate the best of Southwest Virginia, honoring outstanding individuals and organizations serving their communities.
The evening closed with an emotional tribute, as Dr. Rachel Fowlkes was posthumously honored as the 2023 Woman of Distinction. Fowlkes, who died in April, was the former Executive Director of the Higher Education Center and served on numerous boards after her retirement, including serving on the United Way of Southwest Virginia Board of Directors. Fowlkes’ son, John, and daughter, Merrill Hoopengardner, were both on hand to accept the award on behalf of their mother.
The Thompson Charitable Foundation was honored as Community Partner of the Year. Food City was honored as Top Giver.
Other honorees included:
· Elite Partners: Ballad Health, Food City, Universal Fibers, Utility Trailer: Atkins and Utility Trailer: Glade Spring
· Media Partner of the Year: WJHL
· Top Fundraiser for Celebrity Bagging: Town of Chilhowie
· Childhood Success Partner of the Year: Kim Hill
· Youth Success Partner of the Year: Radford City Schools
· Resilience Partner of the Year: Washington County Virginia Schools
· Unsung Heroes: Baptist General Association of Virginia, Mennonite Disaster Service
“We are incredibly honored to give recognition to those in our communities who are helping make Southwest Virginia the best place to work, live and raise a family,” said Travis Staton, President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Virginia. “We couldn’t continue the work we do without the incredible support of our region, and with everyone singing from the same songbook, our voices can be heard across the Commonwealth.”
