About
Looking Out for Each Other New River Valley began as a Facebook group in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our all-volunteer coordinating team meets regularly in order to guide the Facebook group, compile resources, and support efforts to care for one another across the New River Valley.
Our Coordinating Team
Chris Belluzzo, Chiropractor, Blacksburg
Madeline Deck, Student, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Larkin Dudley, Retired, Blacksburg
Future Economy Collective - Molly, Lauren, and Gretchen, Blacksburg
Carola Haas, Virginia Tech, Riner
Melissa June, Social Worker, Blacksburg
Patsy Lavender, Retired, Blacksburg
Katie Mey, Women’s Center, Virginia Tech, Christiansburg
Ashley Reed, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Courtney Roberts, Attorney, Blacksburg
Emily Satterwhite, Appalachian Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Jessica Taylor, History, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Lori Berry, Virginia Tech, Riner
Cynthia Brimm, Pulaski
Facebook Shepherds
Winema Wilson Lanoue, Blacksburg
Traci Roberts, Christiansburg
Samantha Weddel, Rich Creek
What We Do
The Coordinating Team is comprised of volunteers who:
Support local groups working to meet people's needs.
Monitor Facebook posts for accuracy, relevance, kindness, and adherence to community standards.
Maintain public resources (this website, dining guide, business guide, etc).
The coordinating team has meetings via Zoom on Saturdays at 9am.
Our Partners
We are partnered with community mutual aid groups who are working tirelessly to support the New River Valley.
Future Economy Collective
Who they are: FEC is a nonprofit dedicated to building communities by seeking out alternative forms of collaboration, creating spaces that promote collective growth, education, and liberation, and utilizing our skills to support a future based in mutual aid.
You can view their website here. And their Facebook page.
Their space, Southpaw, is at 204 Draper Rd. NW in downtown Blacksburg. Their staffed hours are Sun, Mon, Wed, and Fri from 12pm-5pm.
You can email them at futureeconomycollective@gmail.com.
What they're doing during COVID-19: FEC has shifted all their work to distributing groceries, sanitation supplies, pet food, and diapers to those in need.
NRV Elderly, Disabled, and Immunocompromised
Who they are: This all-volunteer group, founded by local veterinary assistant Amber Saul, was formed as a Facebook group to make deliveries to those who are homebound during the pandemic.
What they're doing during COVID-19: They accept donations and deliver items to those in need. They also call and check in on those who need them to.
If you need help or would like to volunteer, please message their Facebook page.
NRV Mask Makers
Who they are: NRV Mask Makers is a Facebook group of volunteers who are donating their time, materials, and skills to providing masks to healthcare facilities in the New River Valley. Volunteers who can’t sew help by washing and cutting fabric for the sewers. FAQ for the NRV Mask Makers can be found here .
What they're doing during COVID-19: They are focusing on masks for healthcare workers in our area and for frontline community groups that are serving vulnerable populations in the NRV.
If you need masks and you represent a healthcare facility/community organization, please fill out this NRV Mask Makers Request Form.
If you would like to volunteer, please complete this NRV Mask Makers Questionnaire.
Past Coordinators
Rachel Carpenter Byron, Blacksburg
Russell Chisholm, Coordinator, Mountain Valley Watch, and Co-chair, Preserve Our Water, Heritage, Rights, Newport
Catherine Cotrupi, VT Engage, Virginia Tech, Radford
Carol Davis, Town of Blacksburg, Blacksburg
Karen Kovaka, Philosophy, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Patty Raun, Theater, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Kim Thurlow, Town of Blacksburg, Blacksburg
Contact
Join the Looking Out for Each Other Facebook group.
If you want to contact Looking Out for Each Other NRV, email us at LookingOutNRV@gmail.com.