It's hard to believe that students, teachers, and administrators will be returning to school this month. My fondest memory of my first day of school takes me back to George Washington Carver Elementary School in Pinetops, North Carolina where I attended kindergarten. I recall getting up extra early, having a hardy breakfast, and waiting for the school bus at the mailbox with my mother. The thrill of riding the school bus for the first time was a long-anticipated desire. My mother met the bus at the school and walked me to my classroom where Mrs. Allen was waiting for me. Mrs. Allen greeted me with such kindness and oriented me to the classroom and showed me my desk where a coloring sheet of an airplane was waiting for me. I remember coloring the airplane bright red, but I cannot remember if I colored within the lines (LOL)!

There are opportunities in our community to help others start the school year with success. Chesterfield County Airport is hosting a community school supplies drive for Chesterfield County Public School students. Donations are currently being accepted at a several locations around the county through Friday, Aug. 12. 

Interested in donating school supplies? Suggested items include: composition books, pens, pencils, markers, folders, glue, crayons, scissors, and index cards. The new school supplies can be dropped off at several locations including:

• Chesterfield County Airport Terminal – 7511 Airfield Drive
• County Administration Building – 9901 Lori Road
• Community Development Building – 9800 Government Center Parkway
• Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center – 6610 Public Safety Way
• Social Services – Smith Wagner Building – 9501 Lucy Corr Blvd
• Mental Health Support Services – Rogers Building – 6801 Lucy Corr Blvd
• All Chesterfield County Public Libraries

For more information, contact Chesterfield County Airport Administration by calling 804-768-7700. 

Citizen's Information and Resources participated with County Leadership, Board Chair Chris Winslow and Children's Museum Leadership in touring the Chesterfield location.  For more information on the Children's Museum please click here.

Garden Harvest! 

The Detention Home's Garden Program had its first healthy harvest.  A big thank you to Michele Banalett and Deb Galeski who volunteer their time with the garden program and residents in the treatment programs who also helped to harvest these vegetables.  All the harvested vegetables were donated to SevaTruck RVA where it will be prepared and donated the community.  SevaTruck is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reducing hunger in the Richmond area by serving free, nutritious meals to those in need.  They have a focus on children who attend Title I schools and the homeless.  Through their free Meal Service Campaign, SevaTruck aims to serve nutritionally balanced meals mostly sourced from local farms and are in partnership with local area food banks, shelters and other non-profit organizations.  

Award Recognition

The Detention Home was recently awarded a National Association of Counties named award named "Reimagine Behavior" for the overhaul of its behavior management program which led to a 77% decrease in behavioral incidents and an 88% decrease in the use of physical restraints from 2017-2021. 

With summer heat and humidity in full swing know tips to keep your pets safe

• Citizen Information and Resources: Emily Ashley, director
• Community Corrections Services: JoAnn McLaurin-Carpenter, assistant director
• Drug Courts: Melanie Meadows, administrator 
• Juvenile Justice Services: Justin Crostic, program administrator for treatment programs & detention alternatives 
• Mental Health Support Services: Jaroslaw Muchowski, assistant director of administration and planning
• Social Services: Kiva Rogers, director