Patrick Countians: Neighbors Helping Neighbors!

On Friday, Nov. 2nd, Patrick Countians again demonstrated that they are the most caring, concerned, and compassionate people on the planet! In less than 2 hours, the faithful listeners of WHEO's "The Great Day in the Morning Show" graciously responded to my requests for assistance for a neighbor and friend in need by donating and pledging more than $5,000 to help defray the astronomical medical bills of Patrick County Sheriff David Hubbard who has been forced into retirement by an unfortunate illness. Remarkably that amounts to more than $2,500 per hour that was donated to this very worthy cause.

What is even more remarkable is the fact that county citizens magnificently responded to this call for help, even though gasoline prices are soaring again, country taxes are due in about a month, Christmas shopping season is about to begin in earnest, and economic times are still tough in our community. That speaks volumes about the good heartedness, brotherly love, and genuine humanitarian concern of the trusty people of this place we lovingly call home, our Patrick County. It also shows the respect that the people of our county have for Sheriff Hubbard and their gratitude for his efforts to protect our lives and property as the county's chief law enforcement officer for many years. It is wonderful to see people put aside politics and to come together in unity when their is a need in the community to be met.

I am sure that God will bless many times over each one who contributed their hard-earned dollars to make this the latest in a continuing series of successful radio fund-raising efforts on WHEO over the past 40 years. Tens and even into the hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised for many deserving causes through these radio-thons on WHEO, and the loving citizens of this very unique county are to be commended for making it happen! I am proud of each and every one of you for your support as we seek to help to address needs in our community through our radio station. Thank you from the depths of my heart!

As the WHEO radio fundraiser aired on Friday, Sheriff Hubbard continued to receive tests and to be treated for his very serious illness at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. Members of the Patrick County Sheriff's Department who spoke with him and his wife Gayna during the weekend said that the Hubbards are very touched and most grateful for the love and support show them by their neighbors and fellow Patrick Countians. They were amazed at the magnitude of the efforts being made to assist them in these troubled times in their lives. David, Gayna, and their families would like to sincerely thank you all for your loving kindness, Patrick County.

If you have not yet honored your pledge, please bring your donation to our WHEO studios or take it to Naomi Pilson at the Patrick County Sheriff's Department or mail it to: Naomi Pilson, 202 Bob Kat Lane, Stuart, VA 24171. The $5,050 total raised on WHEO's "Commuity Conversation" Friday will serve as a good start for the community-wide "Stars for DAvid" Benefit for Sheriff Hubbard that will be held Sat., Nov. 10th from 1-8 P.M. at Hardin Reynolds Memorial School in Critz. The event will feature auctions (regular and silent), raffles, the acceptance of donations, and live entertainment by the Patrick County High School Praise and Worship Team, Tammy Newman, The Singing Directors, Kelly and Ruth Ratcliff, the Country Boys, One Accord, the Southern Prophets, Cornerstone Grass, and Tina, Herbert, and Catherine Conner, who, with the assistance of David's co-workers at the Sheriff's Department and many friends, are leading the effort to organize the benefit. Please plan now to come out and support this tremendous fundraising benefit and enjoy the entertainment, fellowship and food (hotdogs, chips, desserts, drinks...and, oh yeah, Richard's pinto beans (there'll be plenty, we have a hundred pounds on hand).

Let's keep praying for Sheriff Hubbard and his family and plan to attend his benefit on Saturday in the HRMS multi-purpose room. For more information, call me at 694-3388 or the Conners at 694-4578. And thanks again for the heartwarming experience during Friday's radio-thon! I am so deeply touched by the goodness and graciousness of the dear folks who inhabit "God's Country," our dear country of Patrick!

Until next time, may God bless you with a "great day"! Help light a world full of darkness...
be a beacon!

Taking pride in Patrick,
Richard