An HVAC install, a new fence, landscaping, a ramp–volunteers completed these projects and more at various locations throughout Madison County Saturday as part of Madison Day.
Created in 2019 by Karen Coppage, Madison Day places hundreds of volunteers at sites around the county performing beautification projects, small home repairs, yard work and other activities all in the name of sharing God’s love. The first Madison Day resulted in more than 200 volunteers completing 19 projects.
This year, approximately 600 volunteers, including several hundred from Woodberry Forest School, participated in the annual day of giving, completing work at 22 sites. Projects included yard work, a porch, an HVAC install and more. At Lewis A. Pollard’s home, volunteers from Mountain View Chapel cleaned gutters, installed a new floor and built a ramp. Pollard, who built his home in 1974, said health issues have kept him from being able to do many home projects.
“You don’t know how much I appreciate this,” he said.
A few miles away, Jesse Lynch of J. Lynch Enterprises was leading Woodberry students in the building of a new fence for homeowners Taylor and Emily Yowell. Their son, Everett, was diagnosed with Leukemia earlier this year. Coppage said initially she had planned to do yard work at the site, some of which was completed by members of the Greater Piedmont Realtors Association. However, she soon learned the family could really use a fence to allow their children to play safely in the yard. Coppage, donning an Everett Strong shirt, said the project was a way to support the family. She dedicated Madison Day to Everett.
In addition to work at residences, volunteers also completed large projects at Hoover Ridge and the Madison County Animal Shelter. At the park, volunteers created new walking paths and a drainage ditch. At the shelter, they cleaned out areas to be used for walking dogs. Madison County Facilities and Maintenance Manager Moonie Frazier said the volunteers saved taxpayers’ money by completing projects that would have taken staff much longer. He said there were 285 Woodberry students working at the park, not counting accompanying adults.
In addition to volunteering, local companies, organizations, individuals and churches donated money and supplies to the Madison Day efforts. Cardinal Home Center helped with materials and material delivery as it has every year. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative completed painting, Cowan Roofing was on-site and Trane and TKC Heat and Air donated a new HVAC system to one homeowner.
As in previous years, the feeding team kept the more than 600 volunteers well fed with help from the Wolftown Ruritan Club. Rose Park United Methodist Church conducted the Madison Kids program, allowing children of volunteers to participate in a variety of activities.
Plans for Madison Day 2027 are already underway.
For more information regarding Madison Day, visit www.madisondayva.com or contact Coppage at (540) 672-8757 or madisondayinfo@gmail.com.
