Providing resources to the Greater Fulton community of Richmond, Virginia

Due to the snow, the NRC 5 Year Anniversary Party, scheduled for this Sunday, has been postponed to February 28th at 3pm.

Please RSVP for this alternate date by Friday, February 19th by emailing info@nrccafe.org or calling 804-864-5797.

The NRC Christmas party on December 18th was a hit with kids and adults alike. Holiday treats, games, pinatas and a visit from Santa were all topped off by the snow that began mid-way through the party. Nearly 100 children received gifts to take home. Thanks to everyone who donated gifts and made the party such a success!
-Truland Systems
-Dominion Resources Employees
-The Wellness Village at Starling
-Dollar General Store #3706
-7-Eleven Employees
-Friends and Family of Annie
-Rocketts Landing Residents
-Crystal, Kelley, April, Gloria, Anita, Briggs and Rita for wrapping all those gifts!

Sherry Krouse, Penny Ferris & Charles Skelly

The buzz surrounding Sherry Krouse has been echoing all through the NRC lately.  When his name is mentioned, the words generous, amazing and “get the job done” are also spoken.  As an Account Manager for Truland Service, a full service electrical contractor, Sherry’s job is to estimate electrical work and manage projects to completion.  The NRC is delighted he found them.  So far through generous donations from Truland, Sherry’s helped install lighting for the cafe, new security lighting outside, a doorbell, and redesign a building from an existing structure.  Recently, he’s managed to secure enough new lights for the entire NRC which will not only enhance the look of the center but will be a lot more energy efficient.

We asked three questions to get to know him better.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Sherry P. Krouse.  I was raised in the Highland Park area of Richmond.   I’m a Viet Nam Vet and proud of it. I’m a Member of Local Union 666 Electrical Union and proud of it.  I’m a big Pittsburg Steelers fan and proud of that. I’m a proud father of two boys: Bryan who is 31 and Cody who is 14.  Last but not least, I’m the proud husband of my best friend and wife Lynn. I reside in Hanover Co. I’m fifty nine and happy.

Please give us your opinion of the NRC – maybe your first impressions, why you spend time there, why it works, why it is important to the Fulton community and Richmond.

When I first walked into the center, I was taken in at first glance by the true love being given to those kids. Then I was given the real sales pitch by Mary Lou. And the rest is history. Just to see how much they do with so little was amazing to say the least. I knew immediately that there were some things we could give back to them. I am very lucky to have what I have and to see what others are willing to give just made me take a look at myself and what I could do.  When I go to the NRC, I think, “The real future is right there in front of you.”

When I was young I had to count on people just like the center to have a chance. I have never forgotten how much I look back at the people who helped me when I needed it. Sometimes no matter how hard you try you might just need someone there. That is what I see in the center. I grew up in the Highland Park area of Richmond and we never had much. But we were fortunate enough to have people like the center to fall back on.

Just for fun tell us something that helps us get to know you better: a story about you, a story about the neighborhood, your favorite movie or book, where you grew up, favorite restaurant in Richmond, special skills, music….

My favorite thing to do is to get on my Harley and just go for a nice ride. It really makes me feel ALIVE.

The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation presented the NRC with a $15,000 grant to fund a much needed job support service lab.  The lab will be open from 10am to 1pm. Evening hours will also be available by appointment. Job seekers will receive help with typing, on-line applications, job searches, resume writing and interview skills.

Every Tuesday during the growing season, NRC kids join volunteers and staff for gardening activities behind the center.  After planting, weeding, watering and harvesting, everyone regroups in the kitchen and starts cooking.  This weekly tradition is slowing down as we go into the winter months. This week, as the kids ate the dinner they grew, harvested and prepared themselves, we asked what they liked about gardening, what they hated and what they want to see next year.

Micha Michelle- age 10 “I loved making sweet pickles, but shouldn’t have drank all the juice.”
Valasia- age 8 “I really like pesto, and baba ghanoush; I don’t like spaghetti squash.”
Coran- age 6 ” I love raw mustard greens because they make my tongue burn.”

The kids decided to plant yellow cherry tomatoes again, because they are so sweet and you can pop them in your mouth whenever you want.  Everyone agreed that the raspberries and strawberries need to stay! We can’t wait for the fig tree to give us more sweet figs.

This was a wonderful year in the garden. As each new group of kids comes to the center and experiences this program, the kids from the year before introduce them to what we do.  It is simple: show them how to grow food, give them time in nature, emphasize respect, practice patience and eat!

Thank you so much to all of our wonderful, loving, patient garden volunteers!

To get involved with the NRC’s Learning Garden email Penny: penny@nrccafe.org.

Nearly 160 runners and walkers helped raise approximately $30,000 yesterday in the second annual Rocketts Landing Run to the River. All event proceeds support the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC).  Prizes were awarded to these top fundraisers (also known as “fundrunners”):

• 1st Place Fundrunner: Liz Cramer (2 night stay to The Homestead Resort)
• 2nd Place Fundrunner: Brandon Jaycox, representing the Greater Fulton Hill Civic Association (one year membership to Richmond Balance)
• 3rd Place Fundrunner: Janet Aardema (gift certificate to Comfort Restaurant)

View photos from the event:
Photos by Morgan Huff »
Photos by MBS Photography »
Photos by Walker Allen »

10K Hill Run Results

MacGregor Lennarz won the race with a time of 39 minutes and 19 seconds. In a tight race, Casey Seelig placed second, in 39:20. James Mosey came in third place in a race which featured three steep hills and a variety of terrain. The challenging course led runners through historic neighborhoods, through parks, along the river and through Rocketts Landing. See below for complete race results:

• Overall Race Times
• Race Times by Age Category

The top male and female 10K hill runners received $50 gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

After the race, runners and walkers celebrated at finish line party and awards ceremony, with delicious food and live music. Co-executive directors Mary Lou Decossaux and Annette Cousins underscored the event’s primary purpose: raising money to support the NRC.

The NRC is a vibrant community center which offers quality programs and resources to families with limited means living in Greater Fulton in the East End of Richmond. A grassroots, nonprofit organization, the NRC provides after-school programs in the creative arts, individual tutoring and homework help, a sliding-scale Montessori preschool, healthy cooking and gardening classes, Tae Kwon Do, GED classes, a new career center and much more.

More than 100 volunteers turned out to guide runners and walkers, prepare food, clock runners and clean up.

The NRC is truly grateful for the support and generosity of its race sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor
Rocketts Landing

Platinum Sponsors

• Truland Service Corporation
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 666
• RVANews

Gold Sponsors

• Richmond Balance
• Keith Fabry Reprographic Solutions

Silver Sponsors

• The Fulton Hill Civic Association

Bronze Sponsors

• Comfort Restaurant
• Deyong’s Boots & Western Wear
• The Homestead

Partners

• Diamond Springs
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• A Local Restaurant
• A Local Sign Business

To learn more about the Neighborhood Resource Center, volunteer opportunities, or how your organization can help next year’s race, please visit www.nrccafe.org and www.runtotheriver.org.