Fundraiser Archives - VersAbility Resources

Panda Express Neighborhood Fundraiser Supports VersAbility Resources on Nov. 17

Posted on November 14, 2023June 19, 2024 by Mark H

More orange chicken, please!

Feast on your favorite Asian cuisine at Panda Express in Hampton on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, and you not only will receive delicious food, you’ll also be supporting a neighborhood fundraiser on behalf of VersAbility Resources, the nonprofit that serves more than 1,500 people with disabilities and their families.

The promotion is valid at Panda Express at 2031 Coliseum Drive in Hampton only between the hours of 5-9 p.m.

Place an order online or on the Panda Express app using the unique promotion code 356569. If ordering in person or using the drive-thru, you must show a paper or digital copy of the code. During the four-hour promo window, VersAbility will receive 20% of all proceeds from Panda Express sales at the location.

VersAbility envisions a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society and supports that mission through early childhood, day support, residential, and multiple employment programs.

VersAbility Resources Exceeds $94K at Signature Fundraiser

Posted on November 13, 2023June 19, 2024 by Mark H

VersAbility Resources raised a total of $94,093 at its 16th annual Gala presented by Old Point National Bank held Oct. 20, 2023, at the City Center Marriott in Newport News.

A woman wearing a blue dress smiles and waves from behind a podium.

The funds raised exceeded totals from the last three years to support the nonprofit’s mission to empower people with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives of their choosing.

A man in a suit and a man in a blue shirt smile with their arms around each other's shoulders.

“We’re grateful to everyone who had a role in making our signature fundraiser a special evening,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO of the Hampton nonprofit. “Everything raised goes toward our mission of creating diverse opportunities for people with disabilities.”

A group of three women and one man wearing formal attire pose in front of their table and smile.

The evening called Havana Nights included a silent auction with donations from a variety of Hampton Roads businesses, a buffet dinner, casino games and a raffle. The Original Rhondels provided live music with a full seven-piece band. Guests were introduced to a graduate of VersAbility’s Future of Work program who is now prepared to enter the workforce as a welder. Future of Work offers career training, certifications, and wraparound support services for people with disabilities in high-demand career fields.

A man wearing a hat receives a piece of money while a woman wearing a red dress stands behind him.

VersAbility serves more than 1,500 people and their families with disabilities with programs in early childhood, student services, day support and residential. A diverse range of employment programs help people with disabilities find meaningful work.

Phillips Energy to Support VersAbility Resources on Giving Tuesday

Posted on November 12, 2023June 19, 2024 by Mark H

Phillips Energy has named VersAbility Resources the recipient of its Giving Tuesday fundraiser this year.

Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 28, 2023, encourages charities, families, businesses and individuals to follow the post-Thanksgiving shopping blitz with efforts to help local communities.

Phillips Energy will donate 10% of sales from its public gas station near Gloucester Point – 2586 George Washington Memorial Highway in Hayes – to the nonprofit.

“We’re inspired by the mission of VersAbility Resources,” said Elizabeth McCormick, Vice President, Phillips Energy. “They operate a number of valuable programs, including several that create job opportunities for people with disabilities. Adults with disabilities participating in VersAbility Resources employment programs earn millions in wages and benefits annually – a win for them and the businesses they serve as well as the local economy.”

VersAbility Resources supports people with disabilities in leading productive and fulfilling lives of their choosing. Headquartered in Hampton, VersAbility operates the Lewis B. Puller Center in Gloucester, which provides day support services to nearly 20 adults with disabilities from the 10 counties making up Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. The Puller Center Day Support program has a strong focus on building independence and confidence while expanding soft skills and promoting community engagement initiatives for people with disabilities.

VersAbility is a leader in federal contracts that employs people with disabilities and boasts a Supported Employment Program that provides job opportunities in the Hampton Roads community and surrounding region. More than 1,547 people with disabilities and their families benefit from the services offered by VersAbility.

“We’re grateful for Phillips Energy’s commitment to support our meaningful work that helps people with disabilities strive toward independence and a fulfilling life,” said Joe Harrow, Chief Development Officer at VersAbility. “Phillips Energy is a family business with a heart for giving, a true model of a community steward in every sense of the word.”

Phillips Energy, with locations in Gloucester, Mathews and New Kent Counties, is a Tidewater, Virginia provider of premium heating oil, propane, autogas, on- and off-road diesel, eco-friendly alternate fuels, gasoline and marine fuels, and more.

Over the years, Phillips Energy’s #GivingTuesday philanthropy efforts have supported the Bread for Life Community Food Pantry, the Alzheimer’s Association, The Samaritan Group, the Laurel Shelter, the Gloucester Housing Partnership and the Gloucester Mathews Humane Society. Phillips Energy donated $1,500 of proceeds to the House That Small Business Built, a Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg project that will be complete later this year in Charles City.

Order Your Next Pizza from Papa John’s to Support VersAbility Resources

Posted on September 17, 2023August 6, 2024 by Mark H

Enjoy awesome pizza from Papa John’s and support a nonprofit with a mission of making sure people with disabilities live full and productive lives of their choosing.

The Dollars for Dough fundraiser supports VersAbility Resources and couldn’t be easier. Order your pizza online from any one of the 27 participating Papa John’s locations in Hampton Roads and apply the promo code VERSABILITY at checkout. Orders must be place at papajohns.com or via the chain’s mobile app.

By remembering to apply the promo code, 20% of every order will benefit VersAbility Resources. The promotion works whether your order is delivery or carryout. Headquartered in Hampton, VersAbility provides early childhood, residential, day support and diverse employment programs throughout Hampton Roads and beyond.

Show VersAbility Resources Some Love With Your $14 Donation

Posted on February 8, 2022June 19, 2024 by Mark H

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and in recognition of the love VersAbility Resources has for its mission to ensure people with disabilities lead full productive lives, the nonprofit is asking community members to consider making a $14 donation anytime now through the end of February.

When you show your love to VersAbility with a donation, your gift can be earmarked to support a variety of programs that include:

Future of Work
Community Living
Employment Services
Envisions Day Support
EPIC Early Childhood
Lewis B. Puller Center

Donations can also be made to the General Fund.

You can designate your gift be in honor, in memory or in support of another. VersAbility is hoping to raise $1,400 with separate donations of $14 (or more) at a time.

Donate here to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the Hampton Roads community.

VersAbility Resources Aces First In-person Fundraiser Since October 2019

Posted on October 20, 2021July 7, 2024 by Mark H

VersAbility Resources raised more than $87,000 at its 2021 golf tournament held on Oct. 14, 2021. The charity event was the first in-person fundraiser since the start of COVID-19 held by the nonprofit that serves community members and their families affected by disabilities.

Rows of white visors and caps and red drink holders on a table.

Pivot Physical Therapy and Annie Belle Reavis Tuccori Foundation were the presenting sponsors for the Ability Am Golf Tournament held at Cedar Point Country Club in Suffolk, Virginia.

VersAbility surpassed its fundraising goal for the event, raising a total of $87,127, which included $1,777 from its 50/50 raffle. The recipient of the raffle generously donated the winning amount of $888.50 back to VersAbility in support of the people with disabilities they serve.

A man and a woman wearing green golf shirts pose holding a flagstick on a golf course.

Proceeds from the event benefit hundreds of individuals with disabilities who participate in VersAbility’s four diverse employment programs.

A man wearing a green shirt hits a golf ball with a club on a golf course.

“Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, golfers, Board and community members during this year’s Ability Am, VersAbility is creating new jobs for people with disabilities while helping others return to work as we recover from the pandemic,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO of VersAbility Resources.

A woman wearing golf attire talks to VersAbility members behind a purple table under a tent.

Grzelkowski joined VersAbility Board members Jackie White and Jim Schloss, greeting golfers and sponsors who contributed to making the day a success. A cocktail and awards reception followed an afternoon of golf.

Sponsors Checkered Flag Auto Group and Pearson Toyota, both of Newport News, placed cars at the two hole-in-one sponsorships on holes 5 and 16, respectively.

A woman wearing golf attire hits a golf ball with a club on a golf course.

While no one aced either hole to win the cars, VersAbility came out on top with their successful event.

VersAbility Resources Raises $60,000 for People with Disabilities at Annual Gala, Held Virtually in March

Posted on April 13, 2021June 20, 2024 by Mark H

Thanks to the sponsors, attendees, and those who shared their stories, VersAbility Resources’ 2021 “All Abilities Shine” Gala was a great success and raised over $60,000.

Presented virtually on March 19, 2021, VersAbility’s signature fundraiser celebrates the lives and contributions of people with disabilities. The organization is grateful to Old Point National Bank for continuing to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of this annual event and to many other generous sponsors.

“VersAbility does such an amazing job of providing essential services to people with disabilities of all ages and their families,” said Rob Shuford, President, CEO and Chairman of Old Point National Bank.

“Throughout the pandemic, people with disabilities have proven to be the most resilient workforce, going to work every day to keep our military prepared for their mission and local companies in business,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO. “We held the Gala to celebrate their efforts and raise funds to support the vital services we provide for over 1,300 people with disabilities throughout our region.”

VersAbility Resources’ support for people with disabilities of all ages dates back to 1953.

The nonprofit offers early childhood, student, day, and residential services as well as four diverse employment programs to provide jobs for people with disabilities.

VersAbility Resources serves the entire Hampton Roads region and Middle Peninsula, from offices in Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, and Norfolk.

Prior to the pandemic, only 30% of those with disabilities were part of the workforce, a number that has declined to 18% as a result of COVID-19.

“People with disabilities are ready, willing and able to work,” Grzelkowski said. “They represent the greatest untapped talent pool and the missing workforce that our economy needs to thrive in the future.”

The virtual Gala recognized notable contributions made by people with disabilities including:

Loading vessels from submarines to aircraft carriers with food at the five major ports on the East and West coasts, Hawaii and Guam so they could deploy
Supporting the nation’s efforts to combat COVID-19
Performing critical jobs for local businesses and international corporations, contributing to a strong economy
Digitizing X-rays for the aerospace industry through an innovative solution that has scanned over 28 million X-rays to-date.

“We envision a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society,” said Grzelkowski. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and partners, we help people of all abilities shine, and lead lives of purpose and belonging without limitation.”

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