Community Connection

Downtown Ashland Association is a nonprofit in Ashland that contributes to our town’s vitality by deploying our time, funding, and voice on behalf of the community.

We are hosting practical workshops with local experts on strategies and tactics small businesses can use immediately. Entrepreneurs of all kinds, at all stages are invited to join us at The Gathering Place through the spring. More information is online at AshlandVirginia.com/2024

Montessori School of Charlottesville is hosting their annual Truck Touch event on Saturday, May 4th from 10AM-1PM at Fairview Swim Club. This family-friendly event allows children to explore some of their favorite trucks and will be their reintroduction as they have not held a Truck Touch since pre-2020!

There will also be food vendors, face painting, a strider bike course and more activities. 

All proceeds from this event will go toward increasing their scholarship fund so that they can continue to broaden access to early childhood education in our community!

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation is hosting the 19th Sentara Cap2Cap presented by Dominion Energy, a community cycling event on Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th.

They invite you to bring your family and friends to enjoy a supported ride on the Virginia Capital Trail, a paved trail stretching from Williamsburg to Richmond. Customizable rides offer multiple distances ranging from 10 to over 100 miles. There’s also a Family Fun Ride, a 2-Day challenge, and a half-century shuttle option. Throughout the ride, you will be supported by mechanics, stocked rest stops, multiple restroom facilities, and can enjoy a community Party Zone that is open to the public with beverages, vendors, and music. Registration includes an event shirt, rider’s bib, and Cap2Cap items.

Proceeds from this fundraiser go towards helping protect and enhance the Virginia Capital Trail and supporting local trail development.

Wildrock is a nonprofit that promotes nature play through camps, field trips, and outreach programs because they believe that kids should be outside for their health and happiness.

They still have space remaining for 2024 summer camps at their Nature Play and Discovery Center in Crozet.

Adagio House is a nonprofit in Harrisonburg that aims to reimagine care for caregivers and their loved ones living with disabilities.

They’re hosting their second annual summer day camp for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 13 to 25 from Monday through Thursday from June 10th through August 8th.

This day-long camp will feature music, visual arts and crafts, nature exploration, and more!

SOAR365, a Richmond-based nonprofit that works to create life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities is hosting their annual Ladybug Fund Wine Tasting and Silent Auction on Saturday, April 27th from 6-10PM. They welcome you to enjoy a wide selection of wine varieties from the world’s wine regions including Tuscany, the Rhone Valley, Napa Valley, Washington State and Oregon. While you eat and drink, you can listen to live jazz and learn more about how SOAR365 helps people with disabilities in our community. Proceeds from this event go towards programs for children and youth with disabilities.

The Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club is hosting the 47th Lexington Road and River Relay on Saturday, May 4th.

This event’s 16-mile course consists of running, riding, and paddling legs and is open to solo participants or teams of up to 5 members.

Proceeds from this event go towards our Rotary club as they provide help to people and grants to organizations in the community with a focus on health and education.

More information and registration is online at lexingtonroadandriverrelay.org.

Downtown Ashland Association is a nonprofit that works for a vibrant future in Ashland. They’re hosting Light Up the Tracks now through New Years and they

The Local Food Hub, a Charlottesville based non-profit dedicated to strengthening our local food system through our commitment to local farmers and equitable food access. This year, they boosted their local economy and served nearly 400 community residents through our Fresh Farmacy program. Next year, they hope to double down on their efforts to alleviate hunger and promote nutrition, all while supporting local farms, and you can join them! Now through December 31st, they invite you to help them harvest hope, nourish communities and plan for the future.  More information is online at local foodhub.org. Local Food Hub is a proud financial supporter of WNRN.

LilyPads Housing is a nonprofit in Charlottesville that provides housing to out-of-town families whose children are undergoing treatment at UVA Children’s Hospital. Oftentimes, families must