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The Warren Coalition set an ambitious goal for its 30th Anniversary: to raise $30,000 in 30 days, in honor of their 30 years of service. For a nonprofit experienced in fundraising, this might not seem like a challenge. But the Coalition, which is primarily funded by federal grants, had never embarked on such an endeavor before. Plus, it came on the heels of obtaining sponsors for Celebrate Kids Day and the pitch burst fundraiser, neither of which factored into that $30,000 goal. Several other local nonprofits also had significant, one-time fundraising campaigns going on.

Nevertheless, the courageous staff at the Coalition took on the goal with enthusiasm and endless optimism, along with the assistance of Coalition member Holly Goode and community member Lisa Parker. Though there were many challenges—such as two hurricanes that significantly impacted the US, and illnesses that kept the staff from engaging in person-to-person fundraising as much as they had planned—there were moments of high hope as well, particularly when an anonymous donor stepped in to offer a $20,000 matching gift and Valley Health Warren Memorial Hospital came through with a $5,000 Difference Maker gift. Altogether, the community successfully met the challenge of raising $30,000 in 30 days!

“We appreciate every person who made a gift, whatever the size,” said Executive Director Christa Shifflett. “Through our programs, we touch the lives of nearly every person in Warren County. The support we received during our 30 for 30 campaign is reflective of that.”

The Coalition would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support of the 30 for 30 campaign. An asterisk (*) indicates Foundational Sponsors and Supporters–those who made a 30 for 30 gift or commitment prior to the kick-off on September 29th:

Sponsors:

Difference Maker ($5,000)
Valley Health Warren Memorial Hospital*

Superstars ($1,434.30-$3,042.99)
American Woodmark Foundation*
Marlow Motors*
Ramsey Hardware
Christa Shifflett
Skyline Insurance Agency*
State Farm Insurance, Ellen Aders & Bill Powers*

Influencers ($634.30-$1,433.29)
Bret Hrbek, Edward Jones
George McIntyre, The Apple House
Jean’s Jewelers*
Joyce Jenkins-Wimmer
Lightbulb Marketing*
Dr. Jeffrey Rodman, Here-4-You Counseling
David Silek

Businesses/Organizations
American Legion Giles B. Cook Post 53
Auto Care Clinic, LLC
No Doubt Accounting*

Individuals
Anonymous
Bennett’s Chapel UMC Praise Team
Meredith Bloomfield
Celeste Brooks*
Mary Carnahan
Kathleen & Nick Crettier
Nick Croft
Melissa DeDomenico-Payne
Thomas Englert
Lauren Foltz
James Funkhouser
Holly Goode
Denise Hackney
Avery Harper
Valerie Hayes
Roy Jones
Dan Lenz
Karen McIntyre
Tonia Meyer*
Marc Nelson
Ryan Oates
Tom Pfeifer
Heather Rollins
Kay Schroyer*
David Silek
Michelle Smeltzer
Susan Smith
Tara Smith
Ken Thurman*
Bea Wilfong
Jill Williams
Glenn Wood

“Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters for helping us to continue our work in Warren County, to partner for a more resilient, drug-free community,” Shiflett said.

Warren Coalition, celebrating 30 years of service to Warren County, is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.

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On July 25, 2024, Warren Coalition members and staff gathered with guests for the Annual Awards Luncheon at the Warren County Community Center. The crowd of 29 people came to celebrate dedicated service by Warren Coalition members and honor the winner of this year’s Larry M. Funk Award for Outstanding Service to Children in Warren County.

In recognition of how busy people are and as a gesture of appreciation for their time, attendance awards are given to members who consistently attended meetings during the past year. Michelle Smeltzer, Samantha Barber, and Matt Buracker all received recognition pins, with Nick Croft receiving a Perfect Attendance pin. In addition, Sam was recognized for her service as treasurer over the past year, and Nick for his service as secretary of the board and overall board service for the past 15+ years.

Nick was also honored as Coalition Member of the Year for 2024 for his many hours of volunteer work with the Coalition, which includes technical support and helping to staff events. Executive Director Christa Shifflett noted during the presentations that for the 2024-25 year, Sam will serve as Vice President and Nick will serve as President.

A special award was given to Dan Lenz, who is retiring from Warren County Parks & Recreation later this year, to honor him for his 16 years of service with the Coalition. Warren Coalition and Warren County Parks & Recreation have been able to collaborate on many projects during his tenure, including Rockland Park’s disc golf course, exercise equipment, and basketball course, the splash pad, several swing sets, and the new pickleball courts, just to name a few. Dan stated that he intends to remain involved in the Coalition, much to everyone’s delight.

Once the awards to the members were completed, it was time to present the award the Larry M. Funk Award for Outstanding Service to Children in Warren County. This award was established by the Warren Coalition in 2022 to recognize an individual whose dedication and service to the children of Warren County have made a positive impact on them. Larry M. Funk was a member of Warren Coalition for more than 20 years, serving in a number of positions to include Vice President and President during that time.  The Warren County Sheriff Department employed Larry for over 28 years, and 27 of those were as the D.A.R.E. instructor and Community Policing representative. 

This year’s award recipient was Michael S. Williams, who was nominated by the Rotary Club of Warren County. The nomination states, “Michael Williams’ passion for mentoring and supporting the youth of Front Royal/Warren County is boundless and tireless.” The nomination observes that five Early Act and Interact Clubs have been formed in Warren County “because of Michael’s passion, energy, and love for children.” Michael is the faculty sponsor for the E. Wilson Morrison Early Act Club, which started in 2019 with just 17 fourth and fifth grade members. The club is now open to students from kindergarten through fifth grade and boasted a membership of 146 students this past year. “This elementary school is a Title 1 school with 90% of the students receiving aid,” the nomination notes. “It is amazing to see these children participating in numerous activities to support their school, the local community, and others in need.”

Michael supports the older children in the Warren County community as well. He has been a leader in organizing Rotary District 7570’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards weekend held at Virginia Tech each year. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership training program for high school students. Michael helps organize the event and is a presenter as well. In addition, he is a chaperone and driver for youth participants from Warren County. Unsurprisingly, due to his tireless dedication, Michael has been named as Rotary District 7570’s Youth Activities Chairperson for the 2024-2025 Rotary year.

Michael doesn’t stop at Rotary. Like Larry, he is involved with the children and youth at his church. He is the Children’s Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Front Royal and the Youth Fellowship Leader for the Church. He is also engaged in the Church’s support of the backpack program at E. Wilson Morrison School, providing food for children, and the Church’s collection of school supplies for the school.

“Michael is a child at heart, his dedication to education for children is more than of any other person I know,” the nomination concludes. “Being involved in the community and also focused on involvement and good practice for the education of our youth. Above all Michael is: Compassionate, uplifting, generous, supportive, personable, selfless, relatable, involved, kind, patient, motivational, fun, energic, respectful, and so much more. He is the light for Warren County Youth!”

FRONT ROYAL, VA— Nominations are now open for the 2024 Larry M. Funk Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Children in Warren County, VA. This award was established by the Warren Coalition in 2022 to recognize an individual whose dedication and service to the children of Warren County have made a positive impact on them. The recipient, in 2022, was Roger Smelzer. Last year’s recipient was Laura Nelson Haas.

The award is open to anyone who serves children in any way, though if it is their profession, the nominator will need to explain the way in which they go above and beyond their normal job requirements. Nominators are asked to explain the contributions made to the children and youth of Warren County, cite some specific examples, and list five outstanding qualities of the nominee.

Nominations can be made online at https://bit.ly/LarryFunkAward. (Note that the link is case-sensitive.) A panel will review the nomination packages, and the selected recipient will be presented with a plaque and $500 cash at the Warren Coalition’s Annual Membership Luncheon in late July. Nominations are due May 15, 2024.

Larry M. Funk was a member of Warren Coalition for more than 20 years, serving in a number of positions to include Vice President and President during that time.  The Warren County Sheriff Department employed Larry for over 28 years, and 27 of those were as the D.A.R.E. instructor and Community Policing representative.  He received many awards and recognitions from community organizations such as Kiwanis, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Warren County Sheriff Department, Warren County Board of Supervisors, and American Legion Post 53, just to name a few. His many activities included presentations at events and distribution of educational materials for the youth of Warren County. This included many bike rodeos; Warren County Fair booths; Warren Memorial Hospital annual health fair; drug awareness displays; car shows; and car seat safety checks. He coordinated and organized the annual D.A.R.E. day, which was the culmination of a year of planning for the fifth graders of Warren County Public Schools as part of the D.A.R.E education during the school year.

At his church, Larry served as an elder, assistant Sunday school superintendent, and a youth Sunday school teacher. His family recalled that he would practice his presentations for hours until he got it just the way he wanted to present it.  He took great pride working with the children of the community.  Students and former adult students would frequently greet him with hugs whenever they would see him. Larry’s impact was great and long lasting.

Larry was married for 38 years; the proud father of two sons; and grandfather of five grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and especially teaching them. 

Warren Coalition is a nonprofit agency established in 1994 to help fill the gaps in health care and substance abuse awareness to the community. The Coalition began under the guidance of Warren Memorial Hospital as an outreach project, but it has since grown and was incorporated in 2001.  The office is currently located in the Warren County Community Center.  Their mission is to make Warren County a safe, healthy, and drug free community through many programs and in collaboration with 15+ member agencies.

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