Bill & Judy Kemp, Donna McRae-Jones, Trevor Agee &
Windy Hill Pet Care Receive Accolades
by Thomas Jordan Miles III
Pictured are the 2019 Buckingham Chamber Award winners, from left, Donna McRae-Jones, Trevor Agee, Judy & Bill Kemp, and Kristen and Jon Ober, owners of Windy Hill Pet Care. PHOTO BY JORDAN MILES
The Buckingham Chamber of Commerce honored four community leaders and one business during its Annual Awards Banquet for Chamber Year 2019.
Bill and Judy Kemp received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Donna McRae-Jones was named Volunteer of the Year. Trevor Agee received the Youth Achievement Award and Windy Hill Pet Care owners Jon and Kristen Ober received the
Business of the Year Award.
The event was held Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at the Buckingham VFW Hall. The annual event celebrates businesses, Chamber accomplishments, new members, year-long activities, among the award winners.
“It is with great pleasure that I nominate Bill and Judy Kemp for the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award,” wrote Sue Miles, who nominated the couple. The letter was read by Piedmont Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jayne Johnson.
“The story of Bill and Judy Kemp is one that is guaranteed to inspire others. Their drive and determination to serve their fellow men and women is obvious as you hear about their life journey and volunteer work. Whether it’s here in Buckingham County or literally across the United States, they have a story to tell,” Miles wrote.
While the Kemps moved to Virginia in 1974 and Buckingham in 2008, their service to their communities has spanned many decades.
“In 1988, after learning about the national Habitat for Humanity program, through a Reader’s Digest article, both Judy and Bill agreed that this program and its principles worked for them. Working with Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Greg Gregory, in Ashland…they began laying the groundwork for Hanover Habitat for Humanity. They also became involved with volunteer work in Appalachia, with an encumential organization called Christian Appalachian Project. This project brought volunteers into Appalachian communities for home repair and reconstruction,” Miles wrote.
Miles said the couple became involved in Habitat ‘builds’ and started caravanning with others who
were known as Habitat Care-a-Vanners. “A bit like gypsies, they traveled from coast to coast. South in the winter, north in the summer; building Habitat houses
in 29 states.
“When the Kemps decided they needed a home base, lucky for us, it was Dillwyn. Along with continuing their volunteer work in Appalachia, the Kemps now are working with the Piedmont Area Habitat for Humanity (formerly known as Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity) and specifically the Buckingham County affiliate.”
“The Kemps are a great example of what caring people can do to make our community a better place.” Miles wrote. “Simply put, there are well over 100 families throughout the United States that are now living in decent homes because of the Kemps.”
Donna McRae-Jones was nominated by Thomas Jordan Miles III for the Volunteer of the Year Award.
“Donna’s selflessness, her dedication to her fellow man, and her willingness to donate her time for the betterment of the lives of others, “serves to meet the measure”, as President John Kennedy stated, when we sought to put a man on the moon,” said Miles, who serves on the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors representing District 4/Maysville District and serves as Chamber Vice-President.
“Kennedy said this nation chose this goal and many others, “not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” And the community engagement and involvement of Donna McRae-Jones embodies this call”, Miles said.
McRae-Jones has volunteered with and belongs to more than 10 local organizations, churches and civic groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, Salem and Sharon Baptist Churches, Friends of the Buckingham Public Library, the former Ruritan Club of Buckingham, Central Virginia Regional Library, Piedmont Area Habitat for Humanity, 4-H, Central Virginia Arts, and Historic Buckingham Inc.
“She’s played an integral role in her 10 years in helping restore the Buckingham Chapter of Relay for Life,” Jordan said. “During the time of the Buckingham Ruritan Club, and even after it’s folding, Donna has continued to keep the Buckingham Memorial Day Ceremony going, organizing and collaborating with other groups to make this annual event happen, including Buckingham JROTC, the American Legion Post, and the VFW Post. She’s worked alongside many great men and women to keep this great
tradition alive.”
As leader and Chairman of the Habitat for Humanity Buckingham Build, Donna has assisted with and overseen the fundraising and public relations for the construction of five new homes and one home rehabilitation, literally helping put vulnerable people in secure and safe homes, helping our neighbors in Dillwyn and across Buckingham succeed, Miles said. “And, this month marks her initial term in the office of President of the Board of Directors for the Piedmont Area Habitat for Humanity, one of few Buckingham residents to hold this leadership position.”
Betty Shapiro nominated Windy Hill Pet Care as the Business of the Year.
“Windy Hill opened in early 2017 and I must say they keep growing and growing,” she said, noting “word of mouth has been letting people know the super place, great service, and comfortable feelings you get when you board your dog at their facility. Jon and Kristen Ober, the owners, are the keepers of the troops. I have used their services several times a year and can truly say my dachshund is always sad to go home.”
The recognition dinner drew a large crowd, celebrating Buckingham’s people and businesses.
She said their kennels are state-of-the-art and the play yards are separated by who can play with seniors, who just mill around and need extra attention, or the jet set who need lots of running space and exercise time. If you come at any time you are apt to see Jon or Kristen or both out there playing catch, sitting and holding, petting, rubbing, and giving love and snacks to their boarders.”
Shapiro concluded by noting that “Buckingham was lucky when the Obers decided to move here and open Windy Hill Pet Care (and) their facility and their care of the animals make it the place to be.”
Agricultural teacher Casey Dunkum-Davis nominated Trevor Agee for the Youth Achievement Award.
Davis said she has seen Agee, a Glenmore resident, “grow into a leader and respected friend among his peers” when he was in the Buckingham FFA.
“Trevor is a young man who has worked hard academically and outside of the classroom. Trevor graduated from Buckingham County High School as a honor graduate in 2019 with a 3.8 GPA. Trevor is also an active member of the Glenmore Fire Department following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps. Trevor was Glenmore’s first junior firefighter to join the department in November of 2018. Trevor continues to improve his firefighter knowledge by taking EMT classes. Trevor aspires to grow in the firefighter profession throughout his life.”
Davis noted Agee was an active member of the Buckingham FFA, holding several officer positions with the highest being president his senior year, accumulating several accolades.
“Trevor was in middle school when he started working after school and summers at his family’s business, Dillwyn Repair Service. Trevor is currently employed there where he works alongside his father. Trevor and his father also operate a firewood business in the fall and winter and lawn care in the spring and summer. He has grown in his knowledge of the business and has taken on greater roles and responsibilities as he has gotten older,” Davis said.”
Davis said she has told (Agee) several times that he “is the type of young man that I want my son to be like when he gets older. Trevor is humble, has a servant’s heart and does not do things for recognition.”
Pearson Construction Recognized For Community Pride Award
(photo by Thomas Jordan Miles).
Pearson Construction Inc. was recognized in October 2019 by the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce for their contribution to the Buckingham County community. The family-based business employs local workers and has completed many projects all over the state. Pictured, from left: David Perkins, Lynn Perkins, Penelope Perkins, Chad Perkins, Thomas Jordan Miles, Barbara Wheeler and Eddie Slagle.