Gene Marrano
A local company has designed T Shirts and other gear in order to raise money for Dr. Pepper Park, after thousand of dollars worth of supplies were stolen last weekend. Fuzzy Pickle T Shirts, is selling “We Love Dr Pepper Park”-themed apparel on the venue’s website and Facebook page. Park President Waynette Anderson says she did not expect this kind of support from the community. Anderson says people have contacted her, offering to replace some of the tools and other supplies that were stolen. She’s still talking to the insurance company about what they will cover – and to Roanoke police about the homeless encampment nearby where she says the culprits came from.
The Virginia Department of Health is getting straight-to-the-point with the new “COVID-19 and You” web page – catering in part to those who don’t want to wade through wordy FAQ’s about the coronavirus. More about a new feature that debuted on Monday from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
The Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke Valley – CHIP – has been assembling and distributing what it calls “survival kits” for the hundreds of low-income families it serves – clients now home bound for the most part with the downtown Roanoke CHIP office closed. Beside USDA food boxes, the initial “COVID-19 Survival Kits” as they’ve been labeled include activities for kids, cleaning supplies and other items designed to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Autumn Lavering is the Director of Development:
Rep. Ben Cline
6th District Republican Congressman Ben Cline supports the two rounds of federal relief funds authorized to date – in large part to protect small businesses and their employees – but he also said live on air yesterday its time to think about opening more doors. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
Hear the complete conversation with Ben Cline below:
Another program to help feed families impacted by COVID-19 has been launched with a fundraising drive by 9 local non-profits. Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia CEO Michelle Davis says “Takeout Hunger” will deliver hot meals from local restaurants to the families of children enrolled at Boys & Girls Club locations every Friday – and to other “most vulnerable families.” Davis says they will start delivering meals prepared by local restaurants this Friday. The goal of 9 participating organizations is to raise $100,000 for the 7-week Takeout Hunger campaign. Make a donation at the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia website.
Former Liberty Flames standout wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden became the eighth player in program history to be selected in the NFL Draft when the Washington Redskins picked him in the fourth round over the weekend … JMU quarterback Ben DiNucci went to Dallas – and more:
