September 2019 Newsletter
NEWS & NOTES
Foundation of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society
Live Auction at Annual Conference
Victory Lane Club
NASCAR Victory Lane Weekend 
Richmond Raceway 
April 18-19, 2020

This weekend package for two will be featured at the Conference Foundation Auction on Monday, September 9th. Come prepared to bid for the experience of a lifetime.Thank you to Musco Lighting for the generous donation!

Enjoy Richmond Raceway's most exclusive hospitality area with unprecedented access and action in the infield. Located within the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Garages, the Victory Lane Club provides a climate controlled space with the most comprehensive VIP amenities.


Many more items will be available during the Exhibit Hall Silent Auction. All proceeds benefit the VRPS Foundation!
Foundation Reception at the VRPS Annual Conference

Sunday, September 8th 
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
President's Suite

Join Foundation members and LTI alumni for light refreshments!

Is it time to Renew your Foundation Membership? Look under "My Transactions" after you login to VRPS.com
Cole Scholarship Deadline is October 15, 2019

Award:   $2000 towards the cost of undergraduate or graduate education.

This scholarship was developed in memory of James K. Cole, a Parks and Recreation Professional from the City of Virginia Beach, who was dedicated to the profession.  As a memorial to his life's work, an academic scholarship was established in his name.

In Memoriam of Our Lost Foundation Members
Joan Suzanne Cooksey

Joan Suzanne Cooksey, born August 13, 1948 in Norfolk, VA went to be with our Lord on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in her sleep at home in Chesapeake, VA. She was the daughter of the late William H. and Joan B. Cooksey. Suzy was a summer counselor at Camp Thomas E. Lightfoot in Hinton, WV for several years. Suzy retired from the City of Norfolk where she was employed for many years for the Parks and Recreation Dept. and was a past president of Virginia Recreation and Park Society. Suzy loved basketball and played for Norfolk Catholic High School and Old Dominion University achieving recognition for her abilities.
Gerald Lester Witt

Gerald Lester Witt, 68, passed away on December 23, 2017. Jerry was born in Richmond, VA and was the son of the late Harry and Marguerite Witt. As a young man he enjoyed being a part of the Boys Choir in Richmond. He was a graduate of VCU and a member of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity. Jerry moved to Virginia Beach in 1973 and worked for the city of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Department and retired after 25 years. Jerry was a Lifetime VRPS Foundation Member.
Margaret Thorne

Peacefully and quietly on Monday, December 24, 2018 at 4:48pm, Margaret "Re Re" Green Thorne of Portsmouth, Virginia transitioned to eternity at Aiken Regional Medical Center (Aiken, SC) after a brief illness. She worked for nearly 40 years in parks and recreation including 15 years for the City of Portsmouth. Margaret was awarded the 2017 Virginia Recreation and Park Society Fellows Award for her outstanding contributions and served as President in 2016.
Thank you for being a member of the Foundation!