NAPS Celebrates Launch of Volunteer River Counties

NAPS
Sep 3
3 min read

Updated: Sep 15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2025

CONTACT: Mike Ahart, president

Coalition of more than 40 local organizations launches regional volunteer hub

Heathsville, VA—As part of a coalition of more than 40 local organizations across the River Counties region, Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship (NAPS) celebrates the official launch of Volunteer River Counties, an online volunteer hub to connect individuals, families, and other groups with local volunteer opportunities, enhancing regional organizations’ ability to recruit volunteers of all ages.

“NAPS is a 100% volunteer organization and has coordinated efforts with many area non-profits on projects and programs for the past 36 years. Partnering with Volunteer River Counties is a perfect fit with our mission,” said NAPS president Mike Ahart.

Throughout September, Volunteer River Counties partner organizations will be celebrating the hub’s launch with special events, unique volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved and give back. NAPS will celebrate the 9/11 Day of Service with its annual Creek Cleanup of Cockrells Creek (Reedville VA) on Sunday, Sept. 14. Volunteers can register through NAPSva.org, or the Volunteer River Counties online hub. NAPS thanks Volunteer River Counties and Serve Virginia for a generous $250 grant to help fund the event. Also, visit the NAPS tent for upcoming opportunities (and free stuff!) in the Volunteer River Counties section at the Sat. Sept. 20 Heathsville Farmers Market, 9am-1pm..

Community members are invited to explore the September schedule and sign up for volunteer opportunities on the Volunteer River Counties hub, which is now accessible for residents and visitors to explore at VolunteerRiverCounties.org.

Registration for the Volunteer River Counties hub is free and individuals who register for an account before September 27 will be entered in raffles to win local prizes, including tickets to the Irvington Crab Festival, museum memberships to the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Reedville Fishermen's Museum, and other incentives.

Volunteer River Counties was initiated through planning efforts led by Serve Virginia, the Virginia Service Foundation, and the River Counties Community Foundation, with funding from the Robert B. Lantz Foundation.

For additional information, please contact Mike Ahart at stewardship@NAPSva.orgor Volunteer River Counties Project Coordinator Elizabeth Richardson at elizabeth.richardson@dss.virginia.gov].

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Volunteer River Counties is a free, online volunteer hub connecting residents and visitors in Lancaster, Middlesex, and Northumberland counties with opportunities to get involved and give back to the community while also enhancing regional organizations’ ability to recruit volunteers of all ages. Learn more at VolunteerRiverCounties.org.

Current Volunteer River Counties coalition partners include: