James City County Social Services to Close Early April 23
The James City County Department of Social Services office will close on Wednesday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. for staff development, the county announced. The office will reopen on Thursday, April 24 at 8 a.m.
The agency drop box located in the parking lot of the James City County Human Services Center at 5249 Olde Towne Road can be used to leave applications and other paperwork, the county said.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Abuse hotline 757-259-3201. To report suspected adult abuse, neglect or exploitation, call the Adult Abuse hotline 757-259-3115.
Voicemail messages left on the eligibility line — 757-259-3131 — will be returned on April 24. Reports on changes and applications are also accepted on the CommonHelp website at commonhelp.virginia.gov
SCORE Williamsburg Mentors Support Small Business Community
April is National Volunteer Month, and SCORE Williamsburg is highlighting the positive impact of its volunteers.
In fiscal year 2024, SCORE Williamsburg volunteers helped 292 entrepreneurs, providing them with 478 total mentoring sessions, it said.
SCORE data shows that entrepreneurs who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased business growth. In addition, SCORE Williamsburg offers resources to guide entrepreneurs in every phase of their small business journey.
Visit score.org to learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to request a mentor for your small business.
Williamsburg Chief Deputy Voter Registrar Recognized as Standout Local Election Official
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge honored Williamsburg Chief Deputy Voter Registrar Haley Snapp with the 2025 Standout Local Election Official Award April 9, the city announced.
William & Mary nominated Snapp for her commitment to supporting the university’s Voter Engagement Program, which included:
- Attending and supporting more than 15 on-campus voter information and registration sessions between August and October, each running between three and four hours.
- Attending and supporting sessions at satellite locations
- Collaborating and advising on nonpartisan and voter information for William & Mary’s Civic & Community Engagement Website.
- Co-producing and implementing two interactive webinars for new student-athletes and their coaches, as well as parents of new students, reaching more than 300 attendees/views.
- Working with the City’s GIS Administrator to provide interactive technology platforms and QR Codes for students to learn more about voting and voter registration.
- Committing extra time and attention to those who needed additional assistance, working with out-of-state students who needed help acquiring absentee ballots and reaching out to students who did not correctly complete their voter registration forms.
The ALL IN Democracy Challenge Awards recognize students, faculty and staff, presidents, athletic coaches, partner organizations, and election officials for their exemplary leadership in advancing nonpartisan student civic engagement. The full list of individual champion award winners can be viewed at allin.vote/awards. ALL IN supports more than 1,020 campuses nationally to make nonpartisan civic engagement an ongoing part of campus life
Chesapeake Financial Shares holds 124th Anniversary Shareholders Meeting
Chesapeake Financial Shares, Inc., holding company of Chesapeake Bank and Chesapeake Wealth Management, held its 124th Anniversary Annual Shareholders Meeting April 4 at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington.
The company reported earnings for 2024 at a 12.9% increase over 2023 earnings.
Along with the numbers, Jeffrey M. Szyperski, Chairman, President & CEO, presented banking industry trends and insights. Szyperski also spoke about how Chesapeake gives to its local communities in both monetary contributions and employee volunteerism and outlined Chesapeake’s strategy and the importance of staying relevant in order to thrive for the next 125 years.
As part of the strategy to enhance long-term shareholder value, Szyperski discussed the company incurring an $8 million loss in the first quarter expressly done to reposition $75 million of investments into significantly higher yields.
The meeting concluded with an anniversary reception for shareholders and company employees in attendance.
Safety Town Summer Volunteer Opportunity in York County
York County is seeking teens and adults looking for a volunteer opportunity to consider signing up to be a Safety Town volunteer.
Those needing community service hours and/or who enjoy working with kids and are available Monday through Friday mornings this summer can be a part of an award-winning pre-kindergarten program teaching 5-year-olds important safety skills for school and home.
Participants will receive a Safety Town T-shirt and recognition at the weekly Completion Ceremony. For scheduling and consistency, all selected volunteers must commit to at least one entire week of the program.
Registration began April 14. Additional information is available online.
James City County Family Fun Fest is May 17
James City County Parks & Recreation invites families of all ages to Family Fun Fest on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
According to the county, the annual event is designed to entertain, enrich and educate the entire family.
Featured events include:
- Hands-on arts and crafts activity stations
- Inflatables and lots of games (pre-school ages too!)
- Costume characters from your favorite movies and shows
- “Good for You Zone” with JCC health and wellness activities
- Craft vendors ($) and food trucks ($)
- Sensory tent (for those who need a quiet space)
- Petting Zoo
- Kiwanis Kids Train — all aboard for free rides on our trackless train!
- Live DJ
- Face painting and more.
Parking at Family Fun Fest is $10/car (cash or check only). Most activities are free. For more information, call 757-259-5353. In the event of inclement weather, call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedules. Chickahominy Riverfront Park is located at 1350 John Tyler Highway.
Williamsburg Chaptar SAR
