First Lady Maureen McDonnell Announces First Lady's Opportunity Hall of Fame Award Recipients
– Inaugural Award Winners are Part of The First Lady's Initiatives Team Effort –

RICHMOND - First Lady Maureen McDonnell announced the First Lady's Opportunity Hall of Fame award recipients at the first annual awards luncheon held today in Richmond.  The awards are part of The First Lady's Initiatives Team Effort (FLITE), which Mrs. McDonnell launched in the spring to recognize programs, activities, organizations and individuals who embody the ideal of creating a Commonwealth of Opportunity in their communities.  Four individuals and groups received the First Lady's Opportunity Hall of Fame Award and 29 groups and individuals received the First Lady's Opportunity Seal of Approval.

Over the last seven months, Mrs. McDonnell and members of her FLITE team sought to identify people and groups in four key areas:

• A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Health and Wellness
• A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Economic Development, with a specific focus on the Virginia Wine, Film, and Tourism Industries
• A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Military Families
• A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Women

Speaking about the Opportunity Hall of Fame award recipients, Mrs. McDonnell remarked, "My husband, Governor McDonnell, has set forth to create a 'Commonwealth of Opportunity' during his administration.  The American spirit is truly embodied in the idea of 'opportunity.'  When we help each other, or provide others with opportunities of their own, we can make this a true 'Commonwealth of Opportunity.'  That's why I set out to launch an initiative that helps showcase programs, projects, individuals and organizations that are doing incredible work across the Commonwealth.  Virginia is full of selfless individuals and groups who have dedicated their time and resources to making the Commonwealth a better place to live, work and raise a family.  Today we recognize 33 wonderful initiatives from across the state that are bettering the Commonwealth now, and ensuring  our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy great opportunities for generations to come."

For more information about the launch of the FLITE initiative, please visit: http://www.firstlady.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=143

First Lady's Opportunity Hall of Fame Award Recipients

 Military Family Support Centers, Inc (Salem)

• Military Family Supper Centers provides support to family members of the deployed in the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia 

West End Community Market (Roanoke Valley)

• This project brings fresh produce to the low income neighborhoods of Mountain View and Hurt Park that prior to the market did not have access to healthy, locally grown produce.  It also works to teach the children in this neighborhood the importance of eating healthy nutritious meals in an effort to combat childhood obesity. 

New Visions New Ventures (Richmond)

• This program supports women who are striving to make positive changes in their lives by offering comprehensive resources in the areas of starting a business, financial training, and training and education in the area of food service. 

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground (Middleburg)

• This program brings together public and private groups in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC to showcase, celebrate and raise awareness of the unparalleled heritage of historic homes, national landmarks and battlefields found throughout these states. 

First Lady's Opportunity Seal of Approval Award Recipients

 HEAL Appalachia (Bristol)
Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow Afterschool Program (Wytheville)
Girls Incorporated of Bristol (Bristol)
Chateau Morrisette Dogs 4 A Cause (Floyd)
National Association of Black Military Women (Chesapeake)
Tidewater Military Family Services Council (Virginia Beach) 
Dress for Success Hampton Roads (Norfolk)
Lincoln Military Housing (Virginia Beach)
Bianaca Martinez – "Married to the Military" Blog (Norfolk)
Grommet Island Beach Park (Virginia Beach)
Virginia Wine Time (Falls Church)
Neighbors Foundation            (Great Falls)
Turning Point Suffragist Memorial (Clifton)
Salute our Services (Herndon)
Renaissance Women Productions (Culpeper)
Good Shephard Housing and Family Services (Alexandria)
Mill Mountain Toll Booth Restoration (Roanoke)
Society of St. Andrew            (Big Island)
"Lake Effects" Family Film (Moneta)
CrossOver Ministry (Richmond)
The Girlfriend Connection (Midlothian)
Child Health Advocacy Program (Richmond)
The Faces of Hope "THINK Program" (Richmond)
Safe Harbor (Richmond)
Network of Enterprising Women (Richmond)

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