Virginia Crop Improvement Association

Thinking that many voices united are stronger than scattered individual voices, these charter members founded the Virginia State Police Association over thirty years ago. In spite of resistance from their supervisors, these members forged ahead through rough times to build and support the fledgling association. They gathered at homes and offices to discuss and formulate their ideas and desires, and met with an attorney to discuss their rights and means of change within their Department. On December 9, 1974 these members gathered in Charlottesville and at 8: 49 p.m. they officially formed the Virginia State Police Association. On March 5, 1975 at 6: 40 p.m. the Association held its second meeting in Roanoke, and on September 30, 1975 at 6: 37 p.m., a third meeting was held in Richmond. Since its inception, the Virginia State Police Association has become an honored and professional organization and is now providing services and benefits far exceeding all previous expectations. "To be mutually helpful to one another" is still the primary purpose of the Virginia State Police Association - but today that is only part of the story. Helping members through scholarships, retirement grants and emergency relief funds is a prime focus - but the scope of giving has widened - to include the Department of State Police in general, and school and community programs across the Commonwealth. Dedicated on March 9, 1990, the largest gift to the Department from the Association was the statue located outside the entrance to the Academy. A uniformed trooper, life-size and bronze, will stand forever in recognition of the law enforcement officers the statue is modeled after. To troopers past the statue is a tribute, to troopers present, it is an inspiration, and to troopers yet to come, it is a legacy. The VSPA provides the Department with little bears that do a great deal of good in helping to dry young tears. Officers carry the Trooper Teddy bears in their patrol cars in case duty calls them to a scene where a child has been involved in an accident or has been traumatized in some way. The trooper gives the child a Trooper Teddy as a gift. The Association's goal of "being mutually helpful to one another" is realized through programs and benefits for its members. Since the scope of "helping" has widened to include schools and communities and youth-focused charities, the giving further fulfills the original motto of helping members of the Department. By projecting an image of professionalism, caring and support of programs and people in Virginia - the Virginia State Police Association provides members of the Department with additional reason to be proud of their positions. Today more than 2, 000 members of the Virginia State Police Association want to spread the word that Virginia State Troopers care about enforcing the law, but they also care about Virginians. When it comes to the Commonwealth, they are protecting and connecting.

Atlee Recreation Association (ARA) has been a community-centered recreational hub in Mechanicsville, VA, since 1975, serving over 200 families with a friendly atmosphere. The facility features a six-lane 25-yard pool, a kiddie pool, a playground, and a spacious pavilion with picnic tables and grills, ensuring enjoyment for all ages. In addition to seasonal swimming, ARA is home to the Atlee Gators swim team, which competes in the Greater Richmond Aquatic League. With amenities such as a snack bar, clubhouse, and multipurpose room available for private events, ARA fosters strong friendships and valuable life skills through its engaging programs. Generated from the website

PTA The Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers, better known as the Virginia PTA is a volunteer child advocacy association working for ALL children and youth in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia PTA is the strongest group of volunteers in the state working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Chartered by the National PTA in 1921, the primary goal of the Virginia PTA is to strengthen our family units, our schools and our communities through parent/family involvement. PTA recognizes parents as the first educators in the home and works to promote parents as partners in the school. The Virginia PTA is geographically divided into twenty-one districts in six regions in over 1095 local units with an annual membership well over 335, 355. Managed by an all volunteer Board of Managers elected by the membership, the VA PTA/PTSA is one of the largest Congresses of the 54 Congresses in the National PTA. As one of fifty-four Congresses, the Virginia PTA is an integral part of the National PTA, serving as the liaison between the local unit and the National PTA, helping each to function effectively and to support and sustain the other. Membership is open to anyone who believes in the National PTA Mission and Purpose. The PTA is committed to being inclusive in its efforts to represent and assist all who nurture and educate children. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state and national PTA. Each of the more than 335, 355 members in 1095 local units of the Virginia PTA, has an opportunity to help direct and formulate PTA efforts and direction. While subject to the National PTA bylaws and policies, the Virginia PTA is self-governing a separate and independent entity as established by state bylaws. Likewise, the PTA at the local level is self-governing, linked to one another through the state and National PTA forming a nationwide network of adults working for all children and youth.