NAPS Celebrates Launch of Volunteer River Counties
- NAPS
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read


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:
American Red Cross-Rappahannock
Bay Aging
Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital
Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck
Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park
Dream Fields – Lancaster County Little League
Eastern VA CERT
Friends of Belle Isle State Park
Friends of the Rappahannock
Garfield’s Rescue, Inc.
Grace Church Yard Sale
Greater Reedville Association dba. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum
Historic Christ Church & Museum
Holley Graded School, Inc.
Lancaster Community Library
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Lions Club
Lancaster County Public Schools
Lancaster County Virginia Education Foundation
Lancaster Virginia Historical Society
Lancaster/Northumberland Habitat for Humanity
Mathews Family YMCA
Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society
Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad
Middlesex Family YMCA
NAPS – Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship
Northern Neck CASA
Northern Neck Family YMCA
Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center
Northern Neck Orchestra
Northern Neck Sail & Power Squadron
Northumberland County Historical Society
Northumberland County Lions Club
Northumberland Public Library
Rappahannock Community College
Smith Point Sea Rescue
Steamboat Era Museum
The Bay Center
The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc.
The Link
The Mother’s Heart
Three Rivers Medical Reserve Corps
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA)
Tri-Way Trail
Wetlands Watch