ValleyStar Credit Union of Martinsville has received the 17th Annual Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. ValleyStar was nominated for the award by Patrick & Henry Community College.
More than two dozen individuals, families, and organizations have earned the 2023 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. The awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony in Richmond on Tuesday, April 18. New VCCS Chancellor Dr. David Doré was the keynote speaker.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be in the company of such an esteemed group of philanthropists,” Doré said. “Were it not for your generosity, some of our students would have to put their hopes and dreams on hold, while others might have to abandon them altogether. Thanks to you, however, our students will be able to work in an environment that is relatively free of the kind of financial pressures that can paralyze or even derail their forward progress, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
The annual event, hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), honors leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. Recipients are nominated for their outstanding commitment to the growth and development of Virginia’s community colleges and their respective foundations.
This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has collectively contributed $14 million dollars to Virginia’s Community Colleges.
Regarding ValleyStar’s support of P&HCC, Dr. Greg Hodges said, “The association between ValleyStar and P&HCC began in 1992. Since that time, they have provided more than $100,000 in gifts to support academic and workforce students, the annual operational expenses of the Motorsports program, and our COVID 19 Student Emergency Fund. Additionally, they regularly answer the call to serve as a corporate sponsor for a multitude of college events.”
For more than 30 years, ValleyStar Credit Union has partnered with Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation to support students, programs and events at Patrick & Henry Community College. What started in 1992 with a single donation in support of the scholarship program, grew into a true corporate partnership including donations, sponsorships and ValleyStar senior leadership also serves on the P&HCC Foundation Board.
In 2001, they established the ValleyStar Credit Union Annual Scholarship Fund to support students studying business and finance. Since its inception, more than 30 students have benefited from this scholarship. Additionally, In 2015, ValleyStar began supporting the Motorsports program at P&HCC, which allows the program to race their late-model car in local races at Martinsville Speedway while continuing to provide hands-on training opportunities for students. And in 2020, when the COVID-19 Pandemic struck, ValleyStar was one of the first corporate entities to step up and support the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for P&HCC students.
“ValleyStar Credit Union has shown time and time again just how committed they are to supporting the students, programs and events at Patrick & Henry Community College,” said P&HCC Foundation executive director Tiffani Underwood.
