2024 Doing The Most Good Shield Award Winners Announced
Second Annual Luncheon Recognizes Excellence in Greater Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. (MAR. 13, 2024). The Salvation Army Central Virginia announces the honorees for the second annual Leaders Doing The Most Good Awards Luncheon, recognizing non-profit, corporate and individual excellence in Greater Richmond. The Salvation Army’s trademark shield is synonymous with human services work and has been recognized as a protector and server Doing The Most Good for those of the utmost need for almost 160 years globally and nearly 140 years here in Greater Richmond. The Salvation Army is one of America’s favorite charities, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and has earned a four-star charity score rating for its impact and results, according to Charity Navigator.
This year’s awards luncheon will take place on Wednesday, April 24, at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.
The 2024 Shield Award winners are:
- Feed More for Non-Profit Excellence
- Puritan Cleaners for Corporate Excellence
- Mr. Reginald “Reggie” Gordon for Individual Excellence
“We are pleased to announce this year’s slate of award winners who have been Doing The Most Good with The Salvation Army Central Virginia and in the Greater Richmond community for many decades. Feed More, Puritan Cleaners and Mr. Reggie Gordon have been staples in improving, advancing and serving our community and we look forward to honoring their decades of service and contributions,” said Area Commander Major Samuel Kim.
1 out of 9 individuals in Central Virginia is food insecure and Feed More partners with more than 300 agencies and over 200 volunteers a day to carry out its mission across 29 counties and five cities to fight hunger, with their fleet of trucks delivering more than 34 million pounds of grocery product in Central Virginia. Additionally, nearly 490,000 healthy meals are made and delivered to senior and homebound individuals through Meals on Wheels, more than 230,000 snacks and meals prepared for school programs and 120,000 rural and urban households are served through Mobile Pantry distributions.
Puritan Cleaners is a staple in the Greater Richmond community through the variety of programs such as: Coats for Kids by providing more than 20,000 coats annually to families in need, 100K Meals by distributing 1.4 million meals locally through Feed More, Cinderella Dreams which benefits local teens in need during prom season, as well as a salute to service with free American Flag Cleaning and collecting letters to send to our troops.
In addition to serving on The Salvation Army Central Virginia’s Advisory Board for six years, Mr. Reginald “Reggie” Gordon has dedicated his career to service, justice, community-building, equity and philanthropy, including leading a citywide effort and action plan for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and a continued commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations through American Red Cross, Central Virginia Legal Aid, Homeward, United Way and William Byrd Community House.
Keynoting the luncheon will be Ms. Kelly Till, the first woman president and publisher to lead the Richmond-Times Dispatch in its 172-year history, and returning as emcee is Ms. Jasmine Turner, evening anchor from 12 On Your Side.
Last year’s awards winners were Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund and Ms. Mary Ann Wilson for corporate, non-profit and individual excellence respectively.
The luncheon is also a fundraiser, and all money raised stays local to support programs in Central Virginia. Nationally, 82 cents of every dollar goes directly to support local programs. Tickets are available and donations can be made at www.salvationarmycentralva.org.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 25 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services and youth programs and is #DoingTheMostGood at 7,600 centers around the country. Since 1885, The Salvation Army has been serving the Richmond area, and today, The Salvation Army Central Virginia Area Command meets needs across 16 localities through the Men and Families Housing First Shelter, Inclement Weather Shelter, food assistance, canteen ministry, rent and utility assistance, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and the Corps/Church.