News : Good Neighbor Award Given to Barkdoll and WUMC Food Pantry

 

Vinton Unlimited and the Palace Theatre recognize Mary McNeal Barkdoll and Wesley United Methodist Church Food Pantry and their volunteers as “Good Neighbors”.

Vinton Unlimited and the Palace Theatre established the Vinton Good Neighbor Award in an effort to recognize those whose good deeds may go unnoticed, to encourage people to look for the positive things in our community, and hopefully prompt fellow Vintonians to participate and become “Good Neighbors” themselves. The goal is to encourage civic pride, which will foster the desire to ‘stay local’ in all the areas that help make Vinton a great place to live, shop, work, and play.  

Good Neighbors look different to everyone, but one thing they have in common is they go the extra step to make our community a better place by doing things that benefit others. It is with great gratitude that Vinton Unlimited, the Palace Theatre, and fellow residents of Vinton honor these Good Neighbors. We wish to thank and acknowledge them for their commitment to our community, the example they set for others to follow, and for making Vinton a great place to live, work, shop, and play.  For this Good Neighbor Award cycle, the following people were recognized.

Mary McNeal Barkdoll was nominated by Melody Snow and Vinton Unlimited.  For the past five years, Mary has single-handedly been organizing an annual fundraiser for Gifts of Hope, part of the local Virginia Gay Hospital Foundation. Gifts of Hope provides free mammograms and diagnostic services to those who need financial assistance.  Breast cancer awareness is close to Mary’s heart as several friends and relatives have been affected by the disease. Mary has dedicated the month of October for the last five years to raising several thousands of dollars for Gifts of Hope. Donations can be made at Mary’s salon, Clipper Corner, throughout October.   This is the type of person our community needs as a Good Neighbor!

Wesley United Methodist Church Food Pantry was nominated by Diane Christy.  The Wesley Food Pantry was nominated because of the many, many hours and the efforts volunteers put into making the Food Pantry available for those in the community who are in need.  They spend many extra days preparing the pantry than just the days they are open for distribution.  They spend time shopping for special deals, unloading supplies, getting donations, setting up and organizing the pantry, plus all the time needed to provide the goods to those in need.  When anyone in the community is in need, the Wesley United Methodist Church Food Pantry is there to help.  Our community is better because of this wonderful act of being a Good Neighbor!

These Good Neighbors receive a certificate of thanks, a yard sign to display, and two tickets to the Palace Theatre.  All these people help make Vinton a great place to call home!

If you would like to nominate someone for the Good Neighbor Award, please contact Vinton Unlimited at 319-472-3955.